I own a 1989 240 DL, recently purchased with 70k original miles. I noticed it was having trouble starting so I installed a higher end battery since they said it needed replacing, also the water pump. The weird thing is, After sitting a few days I go to start and starts up no problem. However, I could drive it 20 min to the store, park and come back out to start it up and it has trouble starting, like 5 seconds of R RRRRRRR RR and then finally turns over and starts. Today it did the same thing. I drove it. Turn it off, store and then hesitated starting. Drove it 5 min away to get gas, started it up just fine.


What could be the problem? The place I'm bringing my car to is a family own Swedish car place and they said they didn't see anything else they needed replacing.

Does anyone have any ideas? I live in New England and has been cold, idk if that has anything to do with it.

Also for the first time yesterday driving on the highway at 60 ish mph when I'm accelerating I hear a light whisper noice but when I let off gas it Goes away.

Thanks!

 

I'd change the Fuel Pressure Regulator. Text book scenario: hard start when warm.

 

As Lev said, check the fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum hose off of it and see if any gas comes out or smells strong of gas. If so, then replace.

The whisper noise you hear when leaving off on the accelerator is most likely a faulty vacuum check valve. The noise is probably coming from the center console and it probably makes a similar noise when turning the car off. The vacuum check valve is located near the top of the intake manifold. You should see a short fat hose connected to a black & white plastic part that has a smaller hose coming out the other end. Pull off this plastic piece and see if you can blow through both ends. If air passes both ways then it needs replacing.