Hey all, Here I am after my hiatus. Still getting the college education together (and planning out my new improved "how to build your own pc" tutorial)

This has nothing to do with computers I guess and its off topic, hope I put it in the appropiate place.


I now own a 1979 Volvo 244 sedan. (regular, not turbo). This is going to be my ticket to getting a job (probably with dominos or the arizona daily star) and get me to college.

It got hit in the side a couple years back by a 1985 bronco and I suspect the hit might have knocked a few things loose. Its been sitting for about a year, 2 months and hasn't budged. I have the haynes manual and I've been poring over it.

Here's my current problem. I'm have a new in tank fuel pump w/ filter. There's a hole in the trunk where I can access the fuel pump without having to drop the tank. The problem is that it seems you need some special tool to unscrew it. I've tried just about everything and now I'm trying to find out what this **** tool is that I need. Anyone here have any ideas? Pre-Pump removal tool I think its called?

I already know where the fuel filter is. That's getting replaced next.

Now my problem is this. I drove it into town to get a pizza a few nights ago, a test drive. I noticed that it didn't pick up very well, especially going uphill. (topped out at 30 mph going up a 40 degree incline) and it felt like it was lacking in power. I mean, its a 4 cylinder engine and she's a heavy girl, but she should have more power output than what I was feeling. Other than that everything felt alright.

Parked it, went in and ordered my pizza, and no sooner did I pull out of the parking lot than it started "surging". I had my foot on the pedal pushing it to the floor and it was going 10-15 mph tops where it would "surge" and rev, then it would "miss" where the rev would die and then it would catch again. Pulled a u turn and the engine died "stalled" w/e you want to call it. Got up to the intersection and it died again. So about halfway home I'm going back uphill and its been surging up to now. We go uphill and she's definitely weaker. After the second light she starts stalling more and more frequently until finally I had to get out and push the car the rest of the way, and I'm only 140 lbs and she's a HEAVY ***** !. Incline was only about 15-20 degrees though so with a lot of effort I was able to make it and use momentum from coasting downhill to make it home. (Engine started up again after I got near the bottom, but it was still surging)

Talked to a couple friends of mine in town and they think its the fuel line. Say I need to replace the fuel filter and the in tank fuel pump as it sounds like that might be the problem.

So anyway, I depressurized the fuel system and took the fuel filter off. One end the gas was clean, other end it was dirty.... like REALLY dirty. Screwed it back on, but not tight enough I guess. I put the fuse back in and cranked the engine a couple times hoping to pull it back into the garage since I have a slanted driveway. It cranked but wouldn't turn over. Tried a few more times and pumped the gas pedal, then quit because the fuel filter on the side where the gas is going to the engine was spraying gasoline everywhere pretty bad. I put an old shirt over it to soak it up and then tightened it up better. Tried again, still no start (back of the car is pointed towards the curb, front is higher up), pumped the gas pedal, no spray this time.

So now I'm trying to figure out why it started yesterday but it won't start today. After a few times, everytime I turn the key to crank the engine (I had the headlights on, it was dark) it was like all electrical power in the car died. I turn it back to the middle and the headlights come back on. Try to start it again and its dark again, nothing. Tried again today and now the headlights won't even come on. Wed. I took the battery to autozone and got a 1 hour recharge, do I need to take it back again?

I also suspect maybe there's an air leak or something since one of the hoses coming from the fuel tank is loose(not clamped and coming off the valve a little) but there's no moisture or gas under or around it. Its hard as hell to get to though because that hole is small and I'm still recovering from getting a face to face introduction with a VERY agressive brown recluse in the trunk. Dunno what's up with me and spiders lately.

Anyway, I was hoping someone knew what tool I needed and if this problem sounded familiar and if anyone knew what I needed to do. The car is only 28 years old. She may be old but I firmly believe that she still has some life in her. Also heard you can get AMAZING gas mileage on these old volvos.

Noooooooooo idea

Take what i know about computers...put it in the opposite direction, double it...that's about how much i don't know about cars.

hey gar long time,

but yea i know loads about cars (mainly fords and vauxhall/gm cars)but i really really hate getting myself dirty with oil an grease so i always have with me

(1) A large hammer, to give anything a technicians tap
(2) The numbers of both my mechanic friends
(3) The number of a scrap disposal company
(4) A box of kitchen matches and a jerrycan of petrol.

Usually i find that a combination of the above sorts most of the problems that happen with running old cars
Seriously though if the fuel coming into the filter is filthy, i would suggest that the filter is probably the cause of the surging, replacing it will solve the problem temporarily, but if the tank is that dirty, it will only get blocked up again. Best get off down to a scrap yard and try and get a fuel tank which is a bit cleaner or run around with your car FULL of petrol as the dirt sinks to the bottom of your tank.

Cheers for that biggi, welcome back

makes sense.... everything is dirty has spiderwebs in it, etc.

thanks for the tips, got something new to do now. I should probably replace the vacuum hoses and the fuel hoses (and look at the fuel relay) while I'm at it too.

*sigh* so much for a quick fix.

The car not starting after you had pulled the lines? No pressure in the fuel rail. Not all pumps can generate the pressure needed, 'specially with how you said she'd kinda start, but not really keep going. Yeah, she's a heavy beast, but you are right about there being a lot of life left in her. I agree with pBiggi in that if there is that much junk in the tank (which there probably is) you can go the route of trying to locate another tank, but cleaning it out really well is usually enough... been there, done that. Checking all lines from the tank forward, in particualr, any that are rubber, NEEDS to be done. any that are even half way hardened or cracking, do not hesitate to replace. While you are at it, go carefully over the vaccuum lines under the hood. It does not take much for any one of those to suck air where it shouldn't and can get you all screwed up as to where the real problem may be. As I recall, that year has a fuel injection pump located off the engine itself? Yes? Those lines also need checked. The fuel relay won't matter if it is pumping already... but air in the lines? Big problem for those rides. And yes, I'm being redundant! LoL... I see that you already thought about the lines, but be certain to check everything. I have a sneaking suspicion that most of it is just age of parts.

Good luck and I'll be watching this one!

Oh,a quick adit... if you can get it to a steam clean place, that'll get rid of the recluse problem! *bg* I don't blame you! Don't much care for that meself!

Alright, I have the fuel pump changed, changed the fuel filter, put some cleaning stuff in the tank, charged the battery up again (need to replace the alternator, its shitty now), and she started right up. Drove her around for about 2-3 hours tonight with no problems. Oil is filthy though so going to take her to a shop to get a change. While driving I noticed lowbeams were really low, so got to change those headlights and acceleration and power were lower than I expected. Engine didn't stall, surge or stutter once.

Its hard to explain, I guess its my hearing loss, but I can "feel" the engine really well. I know its a 4 cylinder and all but power still doesn't feel right. I guess I should try driving it in first gear and test the other gears, but when I was going uphill (had a little speed from a straight stretch) I was going up a curved 60 degree incline, which turned to straight and gradually leveled off, I was actually losing speed. Was going 50 mph and was hovering at 40 by the time I crested the top 5 minutes later. So I'm definitely not satisfied with engine power and know there is more work to do. So I'm going to check the air filter next, see what I can do to improve engine cooling since it was running a bit hot after awhile. Also, the **** AC doesn't work. It blows air, but not cold air. Heater works fine. Freon fillup.

So that leaves me with four issues so far, three easy.

1. Oil
2. Engine cooling
3. AC

The hard one
4. Engine power.

It could be any number of things. I think the engine is fuel injected. Maybe the throttle isn't set right, carb or distrib, tubes & hoses, etc.

so all in all, I'm bushed and actually looking forward to working on it tommorow. It's my first car and I guess that's kinda special to everyone, no matter how shitty it looks or performs compared to others. I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring it out and fixing it (with some occaisional advice, ideas, & muscle from friends).

I did find out that this was a luxury sedan (and interior still shows it), so its not half bad at all. Also safest car you can be in in a crash and it can rip through any of these new models without getting a dent. I like these old cars.

I'll do some checking on those lines tommorow. The tank is most likely rusted *judging from the appearance of the old fuel pump when I took it out* That tank has most likely not seen the light of day since it was built in 1979. The fuel filter was gone. Decayed down to a very tiny scrap of netting attached to the plastic ring. The old fuel pump was covered in a red rust colored substance and was grimy. The fuel pump was definitely a major problem. If I can't clean the tank, I'll probably get it replaced as well.

I'm unsure on how to check the air filter and carb, since I don't know where they are. I'll have to consult the haynes manual I guess. (they should have these kinda manuals for PC's !!! That's an idea !). I also want to check and see if the throttle is set right for max accel/speed since I have to floor it most of the time to get close to normal acceleration (which I don't think is right, its 4 cylinder and a steel body, but the engine should have twice as much power as that) but also don't know how to do that. Research research research, oi. I wish I could get college credit for this. :s

ahh... but she's rolling. It was an incredible feeling and even though I'm not done yet, I can tell this car is a lot happier for the repairs. Not one stall or sputter. Need to get that alternator replaced though, its not charging the battery.

Edit: If I haven't already shaken em off already, I'll be hosing em off. Gonna take a vacuum to the interior, wash all the windows, take a rag, lube, and a hose and clean the parts, everything. Gonna give this car the same love I give my comp. You love your car/computer, it'll love you and do miracles I think I could get into this, I like building/fixing stuff.

Thanks so much for helping a newbie car mechanic wannabe. Its probably thanks to you guys and my other friends that the car hasn't exploded or I haven't run myself over

I think I'll dub her.... "Mac."