hello

I am new to SanDiego (n. county Solana Beach to be exact). Previously I lived in Seattle and had the luxury of knowing several good honest Volvo shops in town.

they would always fix my (sold now ..miss it 84 240DL sedan) and my current 89 240DL wagon.

I had a bad experience with a shop in Solana Beach (not volvo shop just reg auto repair place... they wanted $1200 to replace my AMM and airintake hose from AMM to intake manifold... ouch)

I replaced the AMM myself and duct taped the hole in my air intake hose.... but... unfortuntely i now have problem starting car when engine is cold ...it takes 2 or 3 tries to get car started (turns over dies.)

once car has been started (warmed) restarting car is not really a problem.

I am fustrated at this point.

should I get a new intake hose (could the tape not be working and the holes in the existing hose causing the cold start problem?????)

I get really nervous working on the car.... I want to learn more but am afraid of #$%^'ing something up and making things worse... I have a chilton's guide but it kinda sucks.. I have heard that the bently books are better?

anyway... thanx for reading and all .... if any of y'all are in S.D. Area and are willing to maybe help out a newbie (mechanic work wise... driving 240's for 5 years now.) or could at least point out a honest and good volvo place in the area I'd be much oblidged.

I'd really love it if i could meet up with someone that could help me learn how to work on this thing more myself.

thank you.
Peace