Hi all,

I have a 1989 740 GLE estate - 2.3 B230E FI

two days ago it broke down with the following symptoms - it started ok, i drove about a mile when it started missing badly then cut out. it would not restart. I called the AA (UK breakdown recovery) and it had a spark but the plugs were dry as if no fuel, so I got towed to the garage from where i bought it (only had it a month) and grabbed the mechanic.

interlude: it has broken down many times during my ownership ... so far bits me and the mechanic have replaced:

- distributor

- distributor cap

- rotor arm

- that stupid clip that attaches to the dizzy (rewired with careful solder)

- the 'green' relay that does both pumps

- radio suppression box/relay

This breakdown is something else. both pumps are working as i can hear them, there is a good spark at all times and fuel is getting to the 'fuel distributor'

the situation now is that when cold it will happily fire up and idle properly. there is great throttle response and it will rev cleanly.

BUT after a few minutes during warm up, it developes a misfire that gets worse and worse until it stalls. it will then sometimes restart but with the misfire and when giving it throttle, it dies then comes back at idle speed. it will then misfire worse and worse, stall and not fire again until it has cooled down.

i've read the whole FAQ (and its great) printed it out and given it to the mechanic also :) but between him, myself and a few other guys from another local garage, we cannot find a fault.

the 'jug shaped' inlet rubber boot appears fine.

we've swapped the radio suppression unit for a known working one while the engine is hot and it still wont fire.

we are stumped. if it was any other garage, i'd just ask for my money back, but the guy i bought it from is a good friend and he's doing the work for free, so i'd feel bad :)

plus i refuse to let this beat me.

i'm more used to aircooled VW engines, so this futuristic FI stuff is new to me :)


does anyone have any tips? it seems to be electrical as the engine will run, which seems to rule out a fuel blockage or bad jets.

yours,

without any transport

phil.

bristol, UK
brokenvolvo@spiny.org