I need some help with this recent issue. I have a 2001 S60 non-turbo with 38,800 miles on it. After my 37,500 mile maintanence I started having a problem with starting the car. The first time it happened the car would crank and crank and crank. So I gave it a few minutes and tried again, still cranking away. After numerous attempts I thought it must be the battery since it still had the original factory battery (8 years old). So I went to the dealer and purchased a new battery, came home, dropped it in, same thing, excessive cranking with failure to start. So I had the car towed to the dealer. The next day they tried to start the car and on the 3rd time it started. The tech said a big cloud of black smoke came out the tailpipe. They checked it over and the car didnt have any error codes and nothing could be diagnosed. The dealer's official stance "cause was probably carbon build up on the valves from not being driven enough and the engine not getting up to or past 4,000 RPM's. Test drove car to clean up the carbon off the valves and car continues to start right up."
Well, 2 weeks later the car failed to start. Same excessive cranking with no ignition. I tried for a second time (sitting in the doctor's office parking lot) and it finally started and I didn't notice any smoke out of the tailpipe - but wasn't really looking either.
I did check the hose clamps on the intake host from airfilter box and they are secure.
Possible reasons? Fuel injector dribbling fuel? Still more carbon buildup?
Right now I'm almost hestitate to drive the car since I'm not sure if it will start or not for the drive home.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks!!!

 

When it will not start is there any messages in the window?

 

nope nothing in the window and apparently no codes according to the dealer.

 

It would have been nice if they connected a fuel pressure guage to make sure there is good fuel pressure.

It is kind of hard to say much more without seeing the car.

But I have seen crank sensors cause the same problem as well.

 

Maybe tuneup is due?

 

Fuel pump issue. Same thing on my 2001 S60. Vovlo has extended the warranty for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Have your dealer check with Volvo.

 

APR 05, 2007 | Recall ID# 7368 Hide Details
Recall Reason FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recall Date APR 05, 2007
Model Affected S60
Potential Units Affected 1681

Recall Summary
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA, DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF FUEL QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY, IN CERTAIN CASES, EXPERIENCE A REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS WOULD BE FUEL ODOR.

Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Notes
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. 176