Hello this is my first time using this forum, so please be patient.

I have a 91' 240 that wont idle. I start it up and it wont stay running unless I give it gas. When I do give it gas it shakes violently and the exhaust smells life fuel. I love my car and I would like to fix this with out the need to take it to a Volvo shop. The last few Volvo shops I have taken it too, they wanted way to much for the repairs. I really love this car...
I know thier is a way to read the codes under the hood but I dont know how to do that. Please help...

 

follow the link below on how to retrieve codes for your model....

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...itation-58775/

 

I would guess that one or two cylinders is not firing or you have the plug wires swapped for two of the cylinders. From left to right on the distributor looking from the front of the car is 4-3-1-2. I've seen a car run with 1 and 2 swapped (they looked right but were twisted around each other twice). Just not well. Also, if your exhaust manifold gaskets are leaking they will melt plug wires and it will kill the spark in those cylinders. To identify a cylinder that is not firing, if you can get it to idle unplug each fuel injector one at a time. If the idle gets worse that cylinder was working. If it does not change, that cylinder is not working.

 

This morning I went to check out the car and it started right up.

That was rely weird.

Any advice?????

 

fuel pressure regulator....thats what I can think of....

Question: have you done any maintenance and as Titan Joe stated, your wires might be out of sequence?
Did you retrieve any codes yet?
check for loose hoses or connections
give us more info on what you have done to it or have not.

If your car started just fine...we can "somewhat" rule out the pumps....and injectors...

If you need a fuel pressure regulator...the junk yard will have a ton...your in Cali and you got a few within a 25 mile distance...new, it costs around 45 bucks...yard is about 15 dollars.....to replace it is a piece of cake..if you do replace it you will need a Phillips screw driver/pliers and rubber gloves/rags.. disconnect negative batt connection. the small hose is a bit hard to undo but not too bad