Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 2/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2016 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Running rough on low fuel 200 1978

posted by  Klaus Fluoride on  Thu Feb 20 12:22 CST 2003
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Mon Mar 30 15:07 CST 2009
[RELATED]

Hello there,
I've recently bought a 1978 245 DL.
I really like the car and it goes very well, if a little sluggishly.
Recently while running low on gas, fuel gauge was showing I was in reserve, the car started running very roughly, almost cutting out on occasion. I filled up with gas and problem was fixed. Any ideas why, and are there any other known problems with this year/model I should address. I'm looking for hassle free motoring not a restoration project if you know what I mean.
Couple of other things: I can't get the front wiper washer to work, and when I turn on the airconditioning (almost a necessity in Australia) the idling is too low to compensate for power loss and engine cuts out when I'm stopped at traffic lights etc - is it ok to turn up idling myself? And if so, how do I do it?







  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Running rough on low fuel 200 1978

    posted by  DougC on  Thu Feb 20 16:24 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Aug 10 08:30 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    For the WWW pump, check to see if 12v is getting to the pump when you try to pump fluid. Could be a bad ground from the pump to the body. Clean the ground connection up and see if things work. If not, you can take apart the pump itself and free up moving parts, clean it, and reassemble. These two repairs fixed mine and didn't cost anything. Mine's an 81. On mine the pump hangs on the front of the washer fluid container.
    --
    Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick On Blocks, stock; 86 240, 129K








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Running rough on low fuel 200 1978

    posted by  jbowser on  Thu Feb 20 13:50 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Dec 24 08:36 CST 2010
    [RELATED]

    Even if the in-tank is running, rhaire's advice still holds true as the car will (at least mine will) run if the pre-pump is out but if the hose is shot once your fuel level gets to that point it starts sucking "foam". According to Volvo technical literature the pre-pump was included on all models after 1977 to eliminate "vapor pockets in the line" by keeping approx 3psi fuel pressure on the inlet of the main pump.

    Justin B.
    83 Turbo








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Running rough on low fuel 200 1978

    posted by  Jim Holst on  Thu Feb 20 12:48 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Tue Jan 4 11:05 CST 2011
    [RELATED]

    Hasn't happened to me yet but several have said that the in-tank pump can cause your problem if it isn't working. With the car running, listen at the open gas filler pipe to hear if the pump is humming. Check the fuse for the in-tank pump also.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Running rough on low fuel 200 1978

    posted by  rhaire on  Thu Feb 20 12:48 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Mon Aug 4 10:16 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Very very common. Split in the rubber connecting hose on the uptke pipe of the in-tank fuel pump. Pull the pump and clamp on a high grade 2" piece of fuel proof hose.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.