I recently purchased an 1991 240 for my daughter with 180,000 miles on it. The car checked out fine with a friend and I but a week later it has a problem. When trying to start the car it almost starts but will not unless giving it gas. It will start sometimes when pumping the throttle half way before turning the key. Also it appears to not have this issue (not as bad) when the car is warm. The minute you do get it started it then idles fine. So it is a lack of gas issue at startup or bad sensor. I have searched for threads with the same problem but have not found the exact one. Anyway I am sure this will not be the first thread I start when dealing with this car but by looking through many other threads it sounds like many people love these cars, enjoy working on them and are willing to help others. thanks in advance

 

As with all new acquisitions you should do an inspection, basic maintenance at least, like a tune up, go from there. Hard starts could have different causes. You won't get the exact cause just like that.