Volvo AWD 850 Forum

My 850 wagon has a fuel leak. I can smell gasoline for 1-2 days after filling up the tank. Today I lowered the carbon canister by the front left wheel, and using the tube that brings the gas vapors from the tank, applied a SLIGHT positive pressure with compressed air, while spraying soapy water on top of the fuel pump. The bubbles showed up right on top of the fuel pump, they seem to come from around a little square hole next to a tube-shaped protrusion near the electrical connections. So how do I fix it? The Volvo parts houses sell a fuel pump gasket, would that fix it? For the record, the local Volvo dealership diagnosed that it needs a new fuel pump, estimate close to $700. Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Charlie
new (to me)'94 855
'88 244
'85 245

Final post on this thread (hopefully!) Sorry Klaus, pulling a little vacuum on the FPR was the way i remembered to reduce pressure on the 240, but i did notice that the 850 clicks the fuel pump for a second or two before cranking the engine to build up the pressure, so obviously the systems are different.
Well folks, the fix apparently worked, I went and filled up this morning, the wagon has been sitting in the 90+ degree day here in Memphis, I have gone to check and there is no gas smell.

OK, I can answer my own question now; I went to my friendly U Pull It yard and "pulled" the pump out of a '99 S70, which is the same pump. The pump is actually housed in a plastic surround. So for a leak like I had, on top of the pump, it means the housing is cracked. So I paid $23+tax, and spent another hour at home taking old cracked pump out, and putting the "UPI Special" in its place. It runs like a charm. We shall see if there are any leaks when I fill up again.

I have noticed in other threads the concern about depressurizing the fuel system. I used my hand vacuum pump and pulled a vacuum on the fuel pressure regulator for a second or two. When I got the hoses off the pump, there was no pressure in the system, I may have lost 2 - 3 drops of fuel.

Best to all

Charlie

'94 855 with "new" pump
'88 244 5 speed
'85 245 in process of being sold.

If you tried to pull presssure from the vacuum line attached to the fuel pressure regulator, that was a mistake. You could have hurt the FPR diaphram.

When working on the fuel line, if the engine has been off for 10 minutes or so, there will be little to no pressure in the system. A quick push on the schrader valve will also remove any pressure.

Of course, the dealer will want to replace the fuel pump for a large fee. That is their business. Dealers are not in the repair business, just R&R parts. It is faster and much more profitable.

You done good with the pick&pull part. It will last a long time.

Klaus
--
Common sense trumps a PhD