Hi All--

I'm new to this Forum--just bought a 740 Turbo Wagon for $1500 from a guy who is very conscientious about the Volvos he works on and sells--he's already replaced a few things for me for free after the sale (and the front windshield before the sale!) I think I basically got a very solid car, which I love, from a very honest person.

Here's the current problem, though. The car was sitting for several months while he worked on it, with almost no gas in it. I half-filled the tank with medium octane (all I could afford!) before I drove it forty miles home, and it ran like a dream--as it did when I test drove it at his place. Within the next week, I put some regular gas in it--$10/worth at a time. For a week or so now, it's been hard to start, riding rough when in the lowest gear (it's an automatic)--by rough, I mean sort of "chugging"--and sometimes stalling when idling.

Thinking first of fuel, I filled it with Premium when the tank was close to empty, and added a bottle of STP fuel-system cleaner--the high-end stuff. Since then I've driven it maybe 25 miles, and the symptoms have cleared up only a little. It's not stalling so much and is easier to start, but still chugs until it gets into the higher gears.

Might the problem resolve itself over time if I just keep driving it and keep giving it at least medium-octane gas? I know that Scott, the seller, checked all hoses and lines thoroughly, fixed an exhaust leak, changed oil and filter,etc. I've looked around under the hood and can't see anything leaking, broken, worn, etc.--the car's basically in fantastic shape, with an engine that he and another Volvo mechanic put in themselves.

Is there any kind of simple idle or fuel injection adjustment that might solve the problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have NO money left over now for repairs--have barely enough for gas!

I'm very glad that you guys are out there--it was reading the enthusiasm on this very Forum that convinced me to buy this wagon. (I've owned SAABs before, but never a Volvo.)

Thanks! Ladywolf

Hi there, it's me again. Funny--I guess this wagon really wants to please--it's been running much more smoothly today ever since I wrote the first post above. Go figure. But I don't believe the problem is really solved.

Have been browsing around looking for input in this and other forums--might I have a leak in a vacuum hose? Might it need to have fuel injectors cleaned out or replaced?

Sigh, am I going to have to become a Volvo mechanic myself now? I used to fly airplanes, but know very little about the innards of autos.

And just for the record, what's the minimum octane I should be feeding my wagon in order to keep it happy?

Thanks in advance, folks!

Ladywolf

Well, no one's replied...

Probably just as well, since it might have been wasted speculation if you had. The fuel situation just got worse and worse, 'til finally the car died while going around a curve on a highway...

But the good news is, the guy who sold it to me is copping to his responsibility in the matter, so he drove 120 miles with a dolly to pick up the car and tow it to his Volvo mechanic friend in Tucson, so they can try to get all this straightened out at no charge to me. Don't know yet what the fuel problem really is.

Now that's what I call an honest used-car seller!

Ladywolf