I am not sure if adding coolant has anything to do with the no start problem. I bought the car and have not run it very much as I have not had time to go through and do a basic tune up. But when I did run it the other day I noticed a couple of things. First, I noticed that the call smelled of gas and that the exhaust smelled like gas. Second I notice that the temperature gauge would shoot up to almost red and then come back down to midway. To try and tackle these problems this morning I decided to start the car and see if I could track down the fuel smell issue. I drove the car around the block and did not notice much of the same fuel smell I smelled before. So, I parked the car, popped the hood and checked the coolant. The tank was completely empty. I noticed a little coolant behind the coolant pump. So I went to AutoZone bought some coolant filled up the tank and then try to start the car and now it won't start. The car cranks but is acting almost like there is no spark. So I pulled the spark plugs. They were wet and smelled like gas. I bought new plugs. Still no luck. I'm a little stumped as I hadn't had any stalling issues or hard starts prior to this. Any help will be much appreciated.

Jason

The problem seems to be a warm start problem. It snowed this morning and I was planning on taking the car to work to see how she ran. I started it up. It again made a screech sound that I thought might be metallic but now believe it is a screeching belt. It started up and I let it idle while I cleared the snow. I let the car get warmed up and then shut it off and went is side. When I came back out it would not start again. So I took the other Volvo to work. When I came home from work I tried it again and it started up. I tried to replicate the warm start problem but couldn't. It kept on starting up for me. I did check the fuel pressure regulator as suggested by Tony H by pulling the hose that goes into it and it seemed dry. Also, I didn't notice the fuel smell any more.

I know that is not much to go on but I guess I will have to wait until it doesn't start again to try and diagnose. My plan is to go through it thoroughly and not assume anything. I will check for spark first and then fuel. Any suggestions for a basic plan of attack for a newcomer will be greatly appreciated.

Jason

Its been about a month but I have been working hard. After reading the FAQs I was worried that my erratic temp gauge symptom was a sign of a blown head gasket. I bought one of those block testers with the blue fluid that turns green if you have a head gasket leak. The test did not indicate a head gasket problem. I breathed a sigh of relief and decided to tackle the cooling system since the water pump seemed to be leaking. I replaced the water pump. I figured I would take care of the radiator, hoses and thermostat while I was at it since they are considered wear items. Took it all apart, put it back together, no leaks but the temperature gauge still shot up to about 3/4 of the way up only to eventually settle back down to the half way mark after driving it around the block. Could it be just a faulty gauge?

My other problem seemed to be a warm start problem and possible rich issue. While I was doing the cooling system I noticed some sloppy work around the air filter and AMM. The filter was not properly seated and one of the hoses to the AMM was not clamped tightly. I fixed those issues but I am not sure if those minor issue could have caused my warm start problems. In any event I have yet to re-create my warm start problem. It started right up for me, I drove it around, shut it down and it started right up again. I also noticed that I no longer had the exhaust smell that I previously had and no smoke.

Additionally, I replaced the alternator/fan belts which resolved the screech I heard at start-up.

Any input on why my gauge still shoots up will be much appreciated. I will report back after I have a more thorough test drive to work.

Jason

"Any input on why my gauge still shoots up will be much appreciated. I will report back after I have a more thorough test drive to work."

I did not re-read the whole thread so I apologize if it was already covered:

Have you done the temp compensating board bypass for the instrument panel?

After changing all the cooling components, did you "burp" the system. This basically means getting the car fully warmed up, turning the heater on high and then squeezing the upper radiator hose over and over. This gets trapped air that would eventually work its way out of the system...moving a little faster.

Finally, the new thermostat that you installed, did in have the little jiggler valve or bleed hole on it? If so, was it installed at the high point of the house to allow air to bleed past the thermostat.

I did the temp compensation board bypass and all seems to be well. Gauge is staying right in the middle. After searching through the brickboard it seems like this is a common problem. Putting a silver lining on the whole thing it seems like those fault compensation boards are good for at least encouraging amateurs, such as myself, to replace their entire cooling system. I guess I should have searched before asking or doing any work. In any event thanks for the help.

" I guess I should have searched before asking or doing any work"

It really does help. Often, the first post that pops up in a search is golden with picture, circles and arrows. Often it is not.

" good for at least encouraging amateurs, such as myself, to replace their entire cooling system"

On a car that old, this is a good thing. Particularly good if you have an automatic.

Glad I could help and glad you got it resolved.

Oh yeah right...year and model would be important. It is a 1988 240. I did do some basic checks like checking fuses, checked the fuel pump relay, and pulled the plug off the AMM. Still won't start.

Jason

I would pull off the small hose in front of the Fuel Pump Regulator (on the fuel rail)and see if it's very wet with gas.. it should not be wet at all.

Gas smell at exhaust sounds like the car is drowning.. A bad Fuel Pump regulator will do that
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

So this morning I tried it again. It made a brief sort of metallic
screeching noise and then started up and ran fine. I couldn't detect a gas
smell but I am not convinced I solved the problem. Now I need to figure out
how to replicate the gas smell situation. I will check the fuel pump
regulator as suggested.

Thanks again Tony.

Jason

How is your Coolant level this morning? many weeks ago, was teh coolant topped off or are you looking at that for the first time since buying the car?
Just wondering if you have a Head Gasket issue.

How is your Oil? Is it Over full? That would indicate a Head gasket issue where the coolant is getting into the Oil Passage.

Are you sure the exhaust smelled like Gas or was it sweet like antifreeze?

Hoping you have no issue with the Head but I'm curious why you had low Coolant.



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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/