Thanks to those that answered my previous 'valve bender' question. Another question....

Car: 2000 S40 1.9T automatic 105k miles just purchased used, no service records.

Imagine this:
Driving 50 MPH on the highway everything smooth the whole time, but then flooring it to pass another car.
When floored the automatic transmission drops way down and the RPM's shoot way up, but at full acceleration
I'm getting slight intermittent hesitations. No noises no warning lights, nothing just micro-hesitations in that high-acceleration mode.

Another clue?: Starting this car is a little rough - turns over about 4-8 times before it catches when cold or sitting for more than an hour.

Any ideas? I'm thinking plugs, fuel filter, and fuel pump? - but perhaps there is a problem with the transmission? How could I tell the difference?

I just got the car a few weeks ago and I really love it. It is truly a perfect blend of comfort/features, style, safety, and economy for me.

leppy

 

The hesitation might be plugs or coils.
The hard starting might be a bad Fuel pressure regulator or Vaccum hose for the regulator.

 

A new fuel pressure regulator fixed my hard starting. I found the vacuum hose had a crack in it when replacing the old one so check that first. If it is the FPR, it is easy to replace. Remove the plastic cover over the fuel rail. Pull the fuel pump fuse and run the engine til it dies. Remove the input fuel line. Remove single bolt holding the FPR to the fuel rail. Installation is reverse.

I'm betting the miss is a need for a tune up. The stock Volvo plugs are very good but should be replaced at 100k miles. On mine I had to replace both coils and both wires too before she ran right. Autozone has OEM Volvo coils. They are about $43 each and come in a "Duralast" box. Wierd.

Picture of FPR:

 

Thanks. Today I got it back from service because it needed a timing belt. So while it was there I had them change the plugs out too. I'll report back soon in case someone else has the same problem in the future.
leppya

 

hey where would the vacuum hose be located?
would it be the hose connecting to the fpr?

 

Yes, it's S shaped and comes out the bottom of the FPR and connects to the throttle body area. Mine was cracked and may have contributed to the problem of hard starting.

 

Hi,

I need to replace the FPR. Have a couple of questions:
1. How to remove fuel line from top of FPR.
2. How to remove the black hose ( located right of fuel line ) to make FPR removal easier ?

Thanks.

Basu