My S60 T5 has starting issues. Every 2nd or 3rd start it will crank hard and strong but it doesn't fire. I have to leave it for about 5 or 10 minutes and then it fires but not smoothly.

I have a receipt from the old owner where he had the same problem and took it to the dealership. They changed a faulty speed sensor, an impulse sensor, and a mass air flow sensor. The bill was steep for those, $724. But I guess it didn't solve the problem.

Any ideas? It is embarrassing, I've got to say, to have this sweet looking ride that starts like a tractor.

 

I don't want to state the obvious but have you checked your spark plugs.? and were they changed at 60k if the car has done more mileage than that.

 

I had a problem with starting. It wasn't as severe as yours but I would have to crank it over for a few seconds before it would start. When it did start the engine wasn't very smooth. I took it in to the dealer. They said it took a "long time" to start. Got my car back and a week later the engine started running off four cylinders. I know this because I found the 3rd cylinder coil failed. I called an independant Volvo repair shop, Volvo Specialists in Fort Collins, CO, who confirmed the problem over the phone. I purchased the part from him for $69, went home and replaced the part. Voila, the problem is solved and I have no problems. I also bought some gas additive called "44K" and took it out on the interstate. I think that really helped clean the valves and injectors. I'm not sure if there is a test to see if a coil is going out but if your Volve one day feels very sluggish and idles very rough that is a great place to start. Please let me know if this helped at all.