AboutRay Niemi Expertise ASE Master Rated. Ask any questions about Volvo models up to 2000. Runnability, starting and charging system, diagnostic codes, brakes, front end, where to get certain parts. Should I buy this Volvo or not? I will try to answer your question and give you the knowlege to make the best decision in your case.
Experience I started working on Volvo's in 1978 at the dealer and attended all the schools and achieved a Master rating. Since 1999 I have worked at independent shops and now own my own shop.
Organizations Alldata on line repair manuals. IATN network of techs.
ASE rating of Master.
I'll try to describe my problem as accurate as possible, which is a bit hard, first of all because English isn't my native language, second of all because it's a problem that isn't really consistent, but a problem nevertheless.
My car has problems catching on when the engine gets hot. Like mentioned before, this isn't a consistent problem, what makes it so hard to locate or solve. I'm a mechanic myself, so there are many possible solutions with which I've tried to solve this problem. Through many testing and checking against original data, I've isolated the problem in either the fuelsystem or ( related) electrical components.
I'll start at the fuel system; all the pumps and filters have either been replaced or cleaned. The injectionsystem has been checked multiple times, and doesn't give any problems.
Electrical components related to the fuel/injection systems have been checked aswell and replaced if and when necessary.
Fuel/air ratio and emissions are set ( and checked over and over) at the appropriate values. Ignitionsystem values are aswell.
I'll now get to the actual problem. Sometimes after driving, when the engine is at normal operating temperature, after stopping ( i.e. for refueling) and starting again, the motor doesn't catch on, ( pumps and ignition system are working as they should, I've checked), and keeps refusing to do so, till the battery is empty.
The weird thing is, it doesn't always does this, but only about 50% of the time.
I hope someone may recognize this problem and can help me solve it, or maybe point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Answer Koen,
To me it sounds like a fuel issue. The pressure regulator is possible beginning to fail or the check valve in the fuel pump or fuel accumlator is leaking back. If the car fails to start when hot after running it's possibly vapor locking the fuel system. Have you tested and elimanated these items? What is the style of fuel system? Do you have the proper fuel gauge set up to test with?
