240 mystery!

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by Gordon Powell, Oct 3, 2004.

  1. Can someone please help diagnose the problem.

    I have a 1991 Volvo 240 that runs fine and then, with increasing regularity,
    will sputter and then just die out. After it dies I can't get it started
    right away. Let it sit and rest for 10 minutes and it will start up like
    nothing happened.

    Is it a fuel problem? Ignition problem? Or what?

    Here is what I have replaced:

    Relay in main fuel pump
    Fuel pump assembly inside tank
    Distributor cap
    Ignition wire set
    Ignition module
    Ignition coil
    Ignition rotor
    Several cans of carbureartor jet cleaner

    The car will startup up just fine and then after driving for about 1/2 hour
    or so it will spit and sputter and then die as I throw in the clutch to stop
    at a light or stop sign. When it does that, it will not start up. Only after
    resting for 10 minutes will it start up again and run for a while.

    Can anyone shed some light on this mystery?

    Many thanks.

    Gordon
     
    Gordon Powell, Oct 3, 2004
    #1
  2. 1. if you have access to a known good air mass meter, switch your out and
    put this one in, and reset any 'engine service' faults. if this corrects
    your problem, then it's time for a new air mass meter. though this part is
    a little expensive, it's one of the easiest to diagnose.

    2. if not a problem with air mass meter, then try cleaning the throttle body
    and body orifices. any decent haynes manual will walk you through this.

    3. last year, on my 91 240, i needed to replace some kind of idling valve.
    since this was past my diagnostic skills (see #1, #2) this was diagnosed and
    performed my dealer (ouch!).
     
    Pat Quadlander, Oct 3, 2004
    #2
  3. Gordon Powell

    AJS Guest

    Have you checked the ECU codes to see what errors it is giving? They may
    point you in the correct direction.



    AJS
     
    AJS, Oct 4, 2004
    #3

  4. It sounds like a restricted (clogged) fuel filter. When you shut it
    off,
    the line pressure slowly comes back up, only to fall again as the filter
    isn't able to er, pass enough gas to supply the engine's needs.
    Just a theory.
    --






    http://www.albany.net/~mjc1/index.html
     
    Michael Cerkowski, Oct 4, 2004
    #4
  5. Gordon Powell

    Mike F Guest

    The only component you seem to have missed is the flywheel sensor.

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    NOTE: new address!!
    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Oct 4, 2004
    #5
  6. Gordon Powell

    hipolyte Guest

    I purchased (for a song) an '86 Volvo 240 that had this exact problem. The
    previous owner had had the car in and out of the shop, and replaced all
    those things and more. He kept excellent records.
    He did not mention this problem to me, but I knew 'something' would be
    wrong because of the price so I was not surprised.
    The car died 3 times on my drive home, and would only restart after
    fifteen minutes or so.
    The third time I pulled a spark plug and checked for spark. None. I
    queried my network of mechanic buddies for suggestions.
    It turned out to be the pickup coil, a little gadget inside the
    distributor. Still running strong 5 years later.
     
    hipolyte, Oct 9, 2004
    #6
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