Hi everyone,

This is a general appeal for advice regarding some car trouble I've been having with my 1991 Volvo 740. All in all, it's a great car. I just bought it, and the first thing I did with it was drive it 3,600 miles to the East coast. Okay, that was probably a bad idea, but I changed the oil and filter before and after doing it, as well as checking the tire pressure levels and generally inspecting the vehicle.

However, now that the trip is over, the car idles poorly (especially when just starting), sort of sputtering back and forth between 500 and 900 rpms. Sometimes, while I'm driving it, I'll feel slight coughs in the power as well. And finally, when I've been driving it and come to a full stop, then try to accelerate again, sometimes it will only sputter, moving at around 10 mph, which is dangerous when you're trying to pull out into oncoming traffic.

The problem seems to be gradually worsening, and I have vague notions that it's fuel related. Is this a pretty classic problem, or way out of left field? Anyone have opinions on what it could be, and if so, what the solution would cost/entail?

Thanks,

Chris Harriman
Farmingville, NY
Email: huensao@hotmail.com