I have a 1996 volvo 960 Recently, during the past few days, my car loses power completely after or coming out of a sharp turn...when I try to excel out of the turn.its as if i am out of gas...I get no response from the gas pedal and car shuts off. restart however is immediate. This normally happens when fuel is low....this is all accompanied by the smell of gas fumes from inside the car....vents closed. Also when i open my gas cap to refuel....there is a loud pressure release.....and my gas gauge is stuck...on a quarter of a tank.

Also...the other day...my car wouldnt start and i know i had at least a gallon of gas in the tank...I then removed to gas cap releasing allot of pressure..replaced gas cap....and the car stated right up?......

When you open the fuel cap are you certain it is pressure and not vacuum? It could be as simple as a plugged gas cap vent.

Is the gasoline smell you get immediate upon stall or slightly afterward?

DEWFPO

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1998 S90 083,228 and 1995 964 154,100

Having suffered problems with my 940 fuel system, I have replaced the in tank pump with replacement pump from a BMW 318 the pump is longer and has a filter system which allows it to fit, the lamp requires adjustment as does the electrical fitting change from bolt on to push on.CHECK the rubber concertina hose for leaks or fractures, I had to replace mine with the flexy hose from the BMW cut long and fitted with a large diameter coil formed to absorb vibration. The only explanation for the fuel smell would be from a split fuel line before the injector rail.

Before removing any of the previously mentioned, check the pumps turn on when the key is turn on, these will activate for three to four seconds until pressure builds up, if this checks out, you will find the fuel level sender unit on the pickup unit with the fuel pump. It is possible that this problem has been attacked by a previous owner and the access cover in the floor has not been screwed down properly allowing fumes to enter the cabin.
Chris Boyce

"check the pumps turn on when the key is turn on, these will activate for three to four seconds until pressure builds up"

As I mentioned in a previous response to one of your post like this, the "prime" function is not universal so please stop stating that it is. It depends on a number of factors including fuel injection type, computer model (many LH2.4's do not do this), and even relay type.

In particular, the 960 has a COMPLETELY different fuel system than you 940. there are almost no similarities.

Sorry ! I have as it appears cured my problems, thought I could help,

I am visiting from the 700.. Did you just acquire this car? Many years ago I relaced the fuel pump on my 91 740. Prior to the pumps failure I was getting the smell of fumes just like you are and my resarch indicated that it was due to a bad pump/sending unit seal. I repaced the seal ( procedure outlined in the faqs)and the smell of fuel went away.Now if you just acquired this car perhaps the previous owner did a pump repair and the entire unit was not replaced properly including the seal. Report back

Check the FAQ

I don't know about 900s but 700s suffer from fuel pick up problems - our '88 745 GLE would act up when the fuel was below 1/4 - some cars are worse.

As for the pressure - check your evap system - some pressure is normal.

At least a gallon? Many people think that you will have fuel system problems by running your car so low.
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'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '12 XC70, the first three are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks