Intermittent non starter, with clues!

Post by **hodgy21** » 27 Oct 2008 03:10 pm

Hello all,

I have an '83 3dr 360 with a B19 engine.

I have driven it for aproximately 6 months of the last year, because some days it decides not to start!

It starts fine from cold most days, but when it has been running and is up to temperature, it can sometimes have a problem starting.

The latest example of this happened on a drive home from work (approx 10 miles). I went to the petrol station, turned off the engine, filled up, payed, started the engine, drove to the air point to check my tyres, left the engine running and no sooner had I finished the first tyre, it sputtered to a stop. It wouldn't restart and I got it towed home.

I have replaced all the leads, plugs, distributor cap, checked the points, air filter is brand new, checked for blockages in all the breather system pipes.

As I had checked for spark and air, I thought it must be fuel!

So I whipped of one of the hoses and gave the car a crank. Nothing.

No fuel coming from the fuel pump.

Left it a week or so. decided to take it into the garage to get them to sort it out and it started first time! Oh joy!

Anyway, managed to recreate the problem thank goodness, and they recon it is the fuel pump relay. Said it might be intermittent due to temperature?

I just wanted some advice from some people on here who might have had this happen to them or could confirm or dispell the verdict from the garage.

Also does anyone know where I can get a fuel pump relay for a B19, the garage is having trouble locating one!?

Is it the same or similar to other volvo models? (240 perhaps)

Thanks for your time

Paul.

Post by **stuartB** » 27 Oct 2008 04:07 pm

well the water pump i used to replace my dodgy one was off a 240, so going by that theres a good chance it'll work

not a complete confirmation, but i'd definately try taking mine to halfords and comparing them..

however...

i was going to ask, seeing as im putting webers on soon, is there a good aftermarket pump that would fill these "gobblers" with petrol at a sufficient rate, or is the standard item good enough?

presumably it is possible to put a blanking plate over the hole where it should be, and to run an electric pump instead? whats that, 1 or 2 bhp gain? lol

Post by **hodgy21** » 27 Oct 2008 05:59 pm

On the subject of fuel pumps, I was informed by Troy at Northampton motorsport that the standard fuel pump on these systems has enough pressure to run four 250cc injectors. I don't know how that would translate to webbers but I believe you can get about 3 bar of pressure from them. (but don't quote me on that I don't know much

)

Post by **SteveP** » 27 Oct 2008 06:22 pm

You could probably use the same fuel pump on your carb'd (from the factory) car Stuart. On a GLT or GLEi you will have to either step down the pressure or run an electric pump in place of the original as injection fuel pressure is much higher...

Post by **Ronnie** » 27 Oct 2008 08:00 pm

There's an extra fuse box hidden behind the battery on a 360. The fuel pump fuse is there and it's prone to corrosion. Have a dig around, pull your fuses and clean up the contacts. Grease your fuses and contacts and put it all back together. I'm 90% sure that this will fix your problem.

Post by **Ronnie** » 27 Oct 2008 08:20 pm

Relevant thread here:

http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... t=fuse+box

Post by **hodgy21** » 28 Oct 2008 08:55 am

Legendary Ronnie,

I shall give that a go!

Fingers crossed eh!