My daughter bought a 1979 Volvo 245 wagon six months ago. It has 200,000 miles but is in overall amazing condition. However, recently the car began to briefly stall. This became worse over time. I added injection cleaner to the gas tank. Changed the fuel filter under the hood. Still had same problem. I then opened the air cleaner and noticed oil residue. Oil in air tube. Oil residue in rubber base (balloon thing) that attaches to the hose running to the air filter. Cleaned air tube and balloon base. Also replaced the flam trap as it most likely was bad resulting in too much crank case pressure hence the oil being where it shouldn't. Put it all back together. Still crap! Took hose off air filter and sprayed carb cleaner in. Purred like a kitten - for three seconds! Ran car for 20 Minutes. It idled horribly but I would spray the cleaner and it would purr again-briefly. I checked for pressure on the back side of the fuel filter I installed. I backed off the fitting slightly and gas shot across my garage. Fuel pump works fine I think.

By the way I noticed the timing belt has a sticker that says it was changed at 197,400 miles....... dated April of 2004. It must have set for 9 years without being driven?

I am not a mechanic. Just a dad trying to help his daughter. Any ideas anyone????

 

thats an old K-Jet fuel injection system on a 1979, isn't it?

phew, finding people who know how to troubleshoot and repair those anymore is challenging. Volvo hasn't used them since 1981 or something, Mercedes used them as late as 1992.

my guess is, fouled injectors and/or fuel distributor. but that assumes you've completely sorted out the ignition system, anything that sat that long should get new plugs, wires, rotor, cap, etc.

I hope someone has gone through the brakes, flushed the old fluid, inspected the brake lines for corrosion, etc. 9 years is a long time to sit. ditto the hoses.

I'd probably do a compression test on the engine before spending TOO much effort on it just to make sure the valves and pistons are all working correctly..

 

Check that there are no loose spark plugs and that all plug wires are clicked down on the plugs.

Check for vacuum leaks by running the car and spraying carb cleaner on boots and vacuum hoses. If the rpms rise, you have found a leak. Also spray directly at injectors to see if there is not a leaking o- ring there. Do this spraying discretely, not a general fogging.

Also listen for leaks at the exhaust manifold and downpipe connection. Feel for them just after starting engine with your hand while it is still cool.

 

Just a resource:

K-Jet.org | Mechanical Fuel Injection Power!

pierce noted that fewer and fewer people work on these k-jet systems. Well, this guy does, so you might look around here and see what you find.

My car is much newer, so I doubt I'll be much help. But this resource might be useful.

EDIT: This page in particular might be useful:
http://www.k-jet.org/articles/inform...bugging-guide/

 

Check the fuelpump connecting in the fueltank. Think its under a lid below the carpet in the luggage room. It is common the bend gets rusty and cracked. Results that you get holes in the fuel pipe taking in air and your car will stall and go ****. Finally it will not start. Usually happens when there is very less fuel in the tank. By the way have you tried to increase the idlespeed with the screw on the carburetter?