First I'd like to say thanks to all of the people that reply to messages on this board, it is great!

My '85 244 DL (non-turbo) has an engine problem: after I start it, and for about 5-10 minutes after that, the power is extremely inconsistent- and it definantly is not just normal cold-running performance (I've had several Volvos over many winters). It started doing this in the fall and is worse now. I'll try to explain what I mean- when I start driving the power cuts-off, like I'm losing a cylinder or two, then it jerks back to normal power. When it jerks back there is usually a loud "pop" coming from under the hood. My guess is that it is air being ejected back out the air intake. It will do this several times. After the car has been running for about 5 or 10 minutes it runs normally and never does this.

I have a few ideas: perhaps the fuel pump, spark plug wires (I have changed the plugs), distributor, or a fuel-injection, air-intake, related problem.

I now have some time to work on her and hope maybe someone out there might know where I should start.

Thanks,
Joe