I have a 1987 Volvo 340 Dl automatic with approximately 17000 genuine miles on the clock.
My problem is that the car runs fine and starts no problem first thing in the morning and also when I return from the work, but if I use the car into town, park it up and then come back an hour later the car battles to start and when it does it sounds as if it is wheezing. I am beginning to suspect that there may be a problem with the carb.
Any suggestions and is there any way I could sort it out myself even though I am not very mechanically minded or is it best left to a garage. The car has a FVSH and was last serviced by Volvo in May 2004.

first off, it could do with a service..

secondly - what choke levels are you useing when you return to the car?

Hugh

My 340 DL automatic doesnt have that problem, but when starting cold, it needs full choke, n doesnt sound great/car wobbles (laughs) and can die if dont give it a lil gas, after pulling off is fine after a minute though...

sounds like your carb might need some adjustment on how much throttle the choke gives it.

Also, being an auto I guess it's a 1.4. They need half a footfull of gas on warm starts, else it never catches.

Why do you say that? Mine doesnt need anything on warm starts...

Think it's in the manual, mine only needs it if it's a very warm start (summer and 15mins or so), but it won't catch if I don't.

Mine starts on the button from cold with the choke right out, but needs full throttle to start warm. Does this fast though and I need to back off on the gas sharpish... This is normal for the 1.4 and I take good care that my carb is set up to spec.

With the auto make sure the revs drop back down to idle before selecting drive or much crunchy badness will ensue.

BTW vario as 5lab says you may need to setup your carb - it should pull away from the off with full choke.

Will

hi if you look at the carb you will notice a vent on the linkage, with no throttle the vent should be open ...check this and also that there is no blockage where it vents out of the carb
i have had the same problem in the past and it took 15-20 mins to start and most of the battery