I have a 1989 245 DL non-turbo with B230F engine that has 180k miles. It will not start. All fuses are ok. The battery, starter, and fuel pump are ok (ie it cranks but won't start and fuel comes out of the fuel line when I disconnect the fuel line). Starter fluid helps it start but only for 1-2 seconds. I get a nice spark on spark plug one all spark plug wires are secure. The OBD-I revealed no problems with ignition or fuel injection (leads 2 and 6). There is no oil in the coolant and no coolant in the oil.

"I get a nice spark on spark plug one..."

How about 2, 3, and 4? If the timing belt went, the distributor rotor could be setting near enough to the #1 position to fire the plug. IMO, it's worth a couple of minutes to check it out.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

The '89s were bad about the ECUs failing. If you have the ECU #561 (passenger side foot panel area), then I'd bet that's the problem. You may be able to pick one up on ebay like I did. When we figure out how to re-furbish the darn things, we'll be rich.
Cabbie2169

this sounds like a large vacume hose loose under the plenum some where.
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mike, 1988 Volvo 240DL 114k , , previous 79 & 81 Volvo 244s

Since it fires on starting fluid which takes less energy to light up than gasoline, I'd go throught the igintion system. This is even in light of the reference to your good spark on cylinder one. There is a lot more resistance across the plug gap in the cylinder with pressure and gasoline vapor and air. Check the rotor and distributor cap. The coil could be weak. The plug wires or coil wire could be a high resistance path. Replace the plugs if over 35,000 miles unless platinun or iridium. jp

What were the first symptoms? Ran good and then wouldn't start or died while driving and won't start?
steve

It died on the freeway about 10 minutes after I started driving it. I determined that the battery died. I replaced the battery, and it drove on the freeway for 30 minutes. After an hour, I started it up and drove it 2 minutes before it died. Battery was ok. In short, I think that battery is a separate issue and not the main reason for the problem. This problem seems intermittent, though the car will not start at all right now.

It died on the freeway about 10 minutes after I started driving it. I determined that the battery died.
A dead battery isn't likely to stop you on the freeway. The battery just cranks the starter. From then on, while running, it's the Alternator that powers everything—with some left over to keep the battery charged for the next start.

I replaced the battery, and it drove on the freeway for 30 minutes.
30 minutes is about par for a used battery with unknown state of charge— and No Alternator Output.

(The Alternator can fail without showing a warning light on the dash. Does the "Battery" light come on when the Key is turned to the start position? It should.)

After an hour, I started it up and drove it 2 minutes before it died.
That's about par for a run-down battery after an hour's "rest & recovery".

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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

if it runs on starting fluid it must be the fuel supply
can you hear the fuel pump runnig
fuel pump relays are notorious on these.

Check for stripped Timing Belt teeth. Have someone watch the cam while cranking. Even if it turns, I would set Crank and Cam to 0° TDC on #1 cyliner and then make sure the dist rotor is pointing at the #1 cap tower.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.