Hot off the press, right after getting de-greased and pottied. The job is finally done and the car still doesn't run right.

The ambient temp sender is high on the block under intake rail #3 and #4. I replaced it as part of my search to end the engine's running rich.

What Bentley said sounded so easy. Disconnect the harness. Unscrew the old one. Quickly screw in the new one, minimizing the amount of coolant that will run out the hole. Tighten. Reconnect harness. Drive on.

What I found I had to do. Remove PCV system parts, including oil trap (2 bolts, 12mm). For even better access to the sender, remove distributor cap and set it way aside. Put arthritic fingers on harness, squeeze retainer clip and use other hand to pull on wires. Hooray, it's off.

Put 19mm socket on sender. Attempt to reach with socket extension. Poor access. Remove all 4 injector harnesses and both grounds (10mm). Pull main harness down and off to front side. Attempt to get extension into socket even at an angle. Hooray, it worked, easy to get unit loose. Prepare to unscrew old unit.

OOPS. Where the oil trap was, there are two holes leading into the crankcase, awaiting whatever coolant runs out the hole. I don't think having coolant in the engine oil is a good thing, so I must get a "cork".

Wander about garage until able to invent a cork. Three paper towels, doubled, with a WD-40 can cap in the middle. Stuff into big hole, nice fit. Then get 6 paper towels rolled up and put in as a collar around the "cork", let it cover the smaller hole. Ths towels used yesterday to clean hands using GoJo did the job just fine.

With Crankcase protected, proceed with "Unscrew old unit, screw in new unit. It worked, only a little coolant running out.

Reverse above steps to re-assemble everything. Check other things in the area to see that nothing is inadvertantly unhooked or otherwise messed up.

Clean up hands and try to start car. Grunt and grind very slow. Third try was successful. Warning lights on too long, alternator brushes MUST be next job.

Knowing what I do about the job, I would allocate 1/2 day and lots of GoJo for the job. BTW the new Bosch unit was under $40 from VPI here in Houston.

No way to know quickly if the running rich problem is cured.

Friendly Volvo technician said that the random miss, more like a hiccup, can be the result of valves being way out of adjustment. That's the next thing to do, I have one quote of $75 from an indie shop.

Of course, that will be after installing a new timing belt, and checking the seals. I ordered a counterhold from my dealer. Result - what I paid was wrong, and since they now tell me it's from an outside supplier, it'll show up in 2 or 3 weeks. RATZ

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Regards,

Bob

:>)