My cars is a 86 740 Turbo. Just the other day I started it up after getting gas, and it starting sputtering and surging like it was running out of gas. It was pushing out a lot of black smoke and just sputtering. When I get it to go it's surging back and forth like it's trying to cut off and at times it does stop while I'm rolling, it will start back up and sometimes it does it right off, so I turn it off and restart it. I can't seem to figure what it is.
It kind of did the same thing before and I had the distrubitor worked on, and then replaced. I'm not sure if it's the same thing again or what. Any ideas and where I might start to look to solve this problem?

Check all the intake/pressure induction system hoses.
check the vacuum lines.
Perhaps the compressor bypass valve is loose.

but my #1 guess would be the fuel pressure regulator. take the vacuum line off it and see if it spits gas out (not supposed to!). If the line won't hold vacuum or spits gas (in fact it may pour gas out so be careful!) when cranking/running, replace the fpr.

Have you checked the Air Mass Meter? Best if you can swap out a 'good' one form another car...good luck

Thanks alot for the help.
I had checked the air mass meter before and had replaced all the small vacuum lines that ran across the top of the engine.
I haven't checked the line to see if it's spitting gas yet, will do it tomorrow.
Is the fuel pressure regulator behind the ash tray, or have I been misinformed?
I was looking at the throttle body and trying to figure out if I should take it apart and clean it. I know it hasn't been done since I've owned the car.
I've replaced most of the hoses and had the timing belt and distributor replaced. Had the front seal replaced with the timing belt.
Trying not to get to involved in this car, because I would like to up grade to one of the newer station wagons.

no, the fuel pressure regulator is not behind the ash tray. what you're thinking of is the fuel pump relay. :)

the fuel pressure regulator is located near the fuel rail. in fact, it should be bolted to it i believe. here's a picture of it:


yours is probably not as shiny since it's not brand spanking new. in any case, one line comes off the fuel rail. another line is the return line and goes down and back towards your fuel tank.

and the smallest line i believe should be the vacuum line. pull that one and see if fuel comes out. it's okay if it smells a tiny bit like fuel, but there shouldn't be any dripping out. be careful when you yank this while the car is running. have a cloth on hand just in case it squirts. if it squirts, plug it back up immediately and shut off the car. :)

taking apart the throttle body isn't too bad. sure, go for it. when i did mine, it was pretty crudded up.
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

Thanks invar, I checked the regulator and no fuel came out, so I'm going to wait on a warm day and try and take the throttle body apart and clean it. I don't know where to turn if that doesn't take care of the problem. I drove it today and it acted like it was running out of gas and I hate to keep having to drive it like this. I don't want to tear up nothing, but at times I have to give it enough gas to really get it going so that it will settle down and run.
Thanks again.