The '80 is currently running poorly. I'm attributing this to old fuel. I tried to drive it yesterday for the first time in months and it was drivable but it sputtered as the revs increased and was reluctant to go uphill. Giving it more throttle just bogged it down. So after about 30 seconds of that I turned around and went back home. My records indicate the last time I put fuel in the tank was Dec 30, 3004. I'm a bad Volvo owner for letting this happen. I have my excuses but that's all they are...excuses.
This morning I drove it, very slowly, to the gas station and filled it with 91 octane. I normally use 87. It took 9.8 gal. I have only driven another 10 miles at this point and I suppose it will run crappy for a while.

What else should I do and when can I expect to see an improvement?


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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

When I first got my 85 DL I had the same problem from the car sitting for a year. I just limped it to the gas station and filled it up with HI-TEST. After about two or three fill up's the engine ran fine.

I hope it is that easy for you and nothing else is wrong. Good luck.
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Kevin * HONDA spanking,1985 240DL'Retired' * VOLVO ON!!!!

The solution was nagging at me but only last night did I remember something that turned out to be the cause of problem. I jumped to a conclusion about fuel and didn't even think about anything else. But it's so simple it's ridiculous. I changed the timing belt around the first part of July. Sure enough, the cam gear was off a notch. It should have been the first thing I looked at. I just plain forgot about it until you guys suggested to look elswhere.
Thanks
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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Gasoline dows go stale after a long period of time, but it normally does not effect running. You might have fouled plugs or bad timing or a reluctant AMM. Check the air filter for mice!

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(108Kmi), 95 854T(88K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

You know, this car has sat for weeks, even months, even before this with no such behavior. But never quite this long. So I just knew it was fuel related. Wrong!
Thanks for the good suggestions. But just so you'll know, plugs are okay, timing is okay and the car is a K-Jet so no AMM. Also I replaced the original air filter box a couple of weeks back. No mice at that time.
Anyway, you are correct. It is not fuel related. See my reply above.
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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Glad to know that there is still gas to buy in 3004. Don't tell us what it costs.

If it still runs poorly after filling the tank, I don't think it's the gas per se. Might be some varnish in the fuel system somewhere. I don't think it would hurt, and might help to put some Techron in the tank and/or do the Sea Foam injection process you can find if you search the archives.
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Andy in St. Paul. '89 244 153K mi, '91 745 Regina 202K, '88 244 184K

Make that 2004. I can't see that far into the future. Apparently I can't see very far into the past either. See my message above for a further explanation.
You and Klaus are correct about it not being fuel related. Which got me to thinking about what it really could be. The answer was simple. So am I.
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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon