Fool that I am. I'm in West Hartford, Ct without my tools. Here's the problem. Drove 350 miles today with the 90 244 with 203K. No problem. Parked it at Uncle Ricky's and now it won't start. When I tried after a 3 hour stop, the car really labored to start, there was some oil smoke coming out the exhaust and finally it reluctantly started with a belt (Don't know what belt, nor do I know what accessory was causing it) screeching only for the motor to stop a second later. Now without tools,(and they might not help as I'm only a novice), I can't check for spark or do much else. I don't have ramps or a lift either.
But one thing I do notice, and that's an apparent gas leak dripping from the drivers side above the accordion boot for the steering component. There is also looks like another gas leak at about the same location on the passengers side but it seems like it's coming out of the exhaust down pipe (I thought maybe I had flooded the car). At this time, the car turns over, but there is not even a pop.

I really don't know where to go from here. I did check fuses in the hopes a fuel pump fuse was out. They all look good. Looks like I have to leave the car at Uncle Ricky's. Maybe some kind soul can offer help or suggestions. If I must have the car towed to a shop, maybe someone can direct me to where.

Marty Wolfson
In trouble

There used to be an independent dealer on Park Road who repaired and sold just Volvos (and a few Saabs). Not sure if he's still there, but either have Uncle drive by there or check the Yellow Pages.

A couple of easy things to check first... pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator at the front of the fuel rail (the pipe that feeds the injectors). If raw gas dribbles out, or if there's a *strong* odor of gas, then the regulator is shot and you need a new one. Acme Auto supply might help, of call Nick at fcpgroton and you can have one overnighted to you probably cheaper than a dealer will sell it for.

If the FPR seems OK, then take off the distributor cap and check the terminals for carbon tracking and see if the center spring-loaded contact is OK. Check the rotor. Once in a while the rotor gets really fried, and you lose spark. But if they look OK, re-install cap and rotor pull the coil wire out of the cap. Lay it against the engine block or other good ground, and crank the eninge briefly while Uncle watches. You should have a good blue spark between the wire and ground. If not, check the coil wires.

Your description of possible gas leaks just doen't sound right - are you sure it's gas? If it is, then by all means try to find the source *carefully*... if you have a leak, then the system won't produce or hold the 35-70 psi pressure it needs.

Good luck

And the winner is: Smitty............ Fuel Pressure Regulator. As Ted at Park explained, gas got into everything so he said he will have to replace the spark plugs, oil and FPR. E-mail me if you want to know the $$$$.

Lay it against the engine block or other good ground, and crank the eninge briefly while Uncle watches. You should have a good blue spark between the wire and ground. If not, check the coil wires.


Just make sure you're not leaking gas before you check that one.
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Drive it like you hate it

Check to see if your AC compressor is siezed up. with motor and ac off see if you can turn the front of the compressor by hand, then try to start, make sure ac is off
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '82 Mercedes 300SD

Check your timing belt.