Hi, Folks:

The defroster doesn't work on my Volvo 240 DL wagon, 90'. The hot air won't blow out from small outlet close to the windshield. Any quick way to fix it? Sometimes it's really a pain...

My mechanic told me the Gas Pressure Sensor need replacd, so that I can save some gas money. Is it easy to DIY? How?

Thanks for your input!

Shawn
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90' 240 DL wagon 138k

Do the floor and rec buttons work? If not check the vacuum hose that goes to the intake manifold. You may not have any vacuum to drive the vent controls. When you say gas pressure sensor do you mean the pressure regulator? If so, yes its pretty easy to change, but you should get yourself a manual first like the Volvo Bentley. The Haynes manual is a distant second but much cheaper.

Yeah, the buttons work. If I press floor button, some of the air flow down to my foot. Don't know how to test rec (recycle?) button. If I turn off the defroster button, there is no air flow out from the vent close to the windshield. If I turn it on, there is just very weak air flow out from there.

Yeah, that's what he said - Gas Pressure Regulator. If it's easy, please give me some hands-on instructions (like tools needed, parts, etc.). I've just bought a Haynes manual. I am not going to everything by myself, but for minor job, I would like to enjoy it.

Thanks!
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90' 240 DL wagon 138k

He must have meant the pressure regulator. It is on your intake manifold attached to the fuel rail. It looks like a can with a vacuum hose attached to it. Why did he say it needs to be replaced. Is the car not working? Usually the diaphram goes in them and the way to check is to take off the vacuum hose. If gas comes out the diaphram is shot and you need a new regulator. Its pretty simple to replace. Just disconnect the old one and put the new one in. The only thing is that gas is going to leak out of it when you take it off. So have something to soak it up, and make sure the engine is cold, don't smoke, etc. Make sure everyting is clean, you don't want to clog your injectors with dirt.
If the other buttons are working is must be the actuator for the defrost vent. To check this you have to take off the felt under the drivers dash. Once you find thee actuator push the button to see if it moves back and forth. If you don't know what it looks like you might want to take out the glove box and look at the passenger side actuator. It is easy to see compared to the drivers side. To check the rec button. with the car off push the button. you should hear a whoosh around the center of the dash (a flap moves). In fact you should hear a whoosh if you push any of the buttons. This will work with the car off until the vacuum resevoir is exausted. If they don't work when you turn the car off your definitley have a leak somewhere.

No, the car is running well, but he suggest me to get a new one, which will save me the gas money. My volvo used to run like 22mile/g, however, this winter the mpg went down to 16m/g, which is bad. Is the part expensive?
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90' 240 DL wagon 138k

No its not that expensive, but I would question whether this is the problem. Your 1990 should have onboard diagnostics, and I am pretty sure your check engine light would come on if you had a rich fuel mixture. You should at least check the diagnosic unit for error codes. You are going to ask me how to do that, but I have never had to do it. It should be in your Haynes manual somewhere.

I guess, just a guess, the old regulator results in the hard start - sometimes, I have to step on gas to start the engine... If I change the pressure regulator, the car will be easy to start.
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90' 240 DL wagon 138k