Hello,
This is my first time posting so I would like to introduce myself, and hopefully I've done it in the right place. Anyway

I have a 91' 240 and occasionally when I turn it on the engine doesn't seem to catch. It turns on but then gets very sluggish almost immediately (Sounds like glunk, glunk, glunk) then ultimately dies shortly after. However, if I give it gas for a few seconds or so it slowly comes to idle normally and stays idling just fine. Sometimes it happens a couple of times a week, or every day for a week or I'll go a full week or more without it happening so it's kinda strange.

My question is if anybody might know what is causing it or if you've had a similar issue? Or if there's anything I should look for? I thought maybe the MAF might have something to do with it, or maybe the spark plugs, or possibly it's not getting enough fuel. But I'm not sure.

 

Does it do it with engine hot or cold? It makes a difference.

 

mostly cold, but it has happened when it’s hot.

 

You should start with a good tune up, plugs, rotor, cap, wires, when were they all last done? Make sure the battery is good, it could be as simple as that. If the issue persists, then there are other things to check... But do the basics first!

 

if it starts with the gas pedal, its /probably/ a fuel delivery problem. does a 91 240 have a cold start injector? some LH2.4 injection cars have them, later ones don't.

once its started and warmed up, is the idle rock solid? like, if you are idling and put it in neutral, does the idle speed stay steady, ditto when you put it back in D... its pretty normal for the engine to dip momentarily when you shift into gear, as long as it returns to the proper idle speed almost immediately. if the idle speeds up in N and slows down in D, its quite likely your idle circuit is not working, and thats pretty important during a cold start.

https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Eng...Dies_Dirty_IAC

and the various idle air control stuff following that section of that page.

note your 91 240 has the same Bosch LH2.4 fuel injection as a 1989+ 740/940. there's some stuff on that site thats specific to the earlier LH2.2. For example, LH2.4 has no idle adjustments. also ignore anything thats 'regina' specific.