Hi All,
Thanks for all previous advice and help. Awhile ago I posted my proplem with a cold start (couldn't find my old post so I'll recap).
Basically it started back in October as soon as the nights got in the low 50's. Basically when starting after sitting overnight, if I don't let the temperature gage on the dash raise up into the gauge area, then I experience hesitation on acceleration when pulling away from a complete stop. This process normally takes 5 minutes, which my dad said should be 30 seconds- 1minute max.It seems to worsen when we have this thick misting fog that is so common in Northern California in the winter.
Also when starting there is a very rough idle (the whole car shakes a bit including the muffler exhuast pipes, I mean everything!!) and then after about a minute that smooths out.
I took it to my mechanic (not a volovo only mechanic) last month for a minor tune-up (1st visit in the 6 months I had it) and because he parked it in his garage overnight the symptoms didn't appear, except for the slow to registering temperature gauge.
He changed and gapped the spark plugs and wires checked vacuum and radiator hoses and belts, did a compression test (175, 175, 185, 180), cleaned the flame arrestor and checked the distributor and rotor. This was all as a first step to narrow down possibilites. He recommened I immediately renew the antifreeze as it was low in the radiator.
The interesting thing is after I did the radiator flush (along with oil change) it didn't have the poor acceleration issues. Sure the gage was registering slow but I could pull away from the curb after one minute with no problems of worring about my car making it through the intersection fast enough before the light turned red. Of course two weeks later and the problem has returned. :(
The other notable things :
1) while idiling there is excessively loud ticking noise within the engine (my mechanic says that's normal on an old volvo)
2)The rear fuel pump frequently makes quite a loud whining noise (that can be heard while idling) and I know that the owner who I bought it form last may had a new fuel pump and fuel filter put in, so should be okay.
On the other extreme I went to a Volov Mechanic before visting mine, who told me because my car is aproaching 160,000 (currently 158,383) I need to have the head reconditioned, because it's recommended at that mileage and that I had a blown head gasket (with out running a compression check or inspecting oil, coolant or spark plugs and I seriously think he was trying to take adavantage of me, especially after reading several posts form other women with similar issues). I know the head gasket is not blown, but is engine head replacement/reconditiong in order?
My next step was possibly doing a transmission flush and fuel injector treatment at the lube place, but not sure if this will correct the issue. Also might have the throttle body cleaned..however my funds are limited so I want to go with the most neccessary procedure first.
Suggestions? Ideas?
Oh by the way apparently this car has a salvage title starting from 1993 and carfax had no details on why or who the 1st owner was ...so wondering what could have happened to cause a salvage title when the car still had a relatively high value and would that having anything to do with the current condition. So hard to tell because everthing in it works good even A/C!!