850 estate starting problems

I have owned this 2.0 20 valve 1994 850 SE estate for a year now and have been plagued by starting problems that recur every so often.
Reading the forums I recognise the short running and stopping followed by a failure to start. Extensive cranking has sometimes got it to go. It has been into the garage on several occasions to sort the problem, the last time I was informed that the distributer cap was at fault and after that I had several weeks of confidence. The problem is still there after stopping the car after a short run. I cannot believe that the problem with the valve lifters is not more widly known, and that Volvo allowed such a problem to exist. We have owned a 740 estate, a 940 estate, and a 850 glt estate. Both the earlier cars had leaking coolant into the footwells and other problems. All had impeccable service histories. Is there no way of ensuring reliable starting for these 850 models. I have stuck with Volvos because I like the comfort and space, but reliability is definately poor.

[STE-MAL]

This has to be one of the biggest let downs of these cars. I have had this problem with both my 850's. The only way I have found to get round the problem is to run the engine warm before switching off. Or at least run untill the temperature gauge starts to move. A real pain in the backside with no apparent fix.

This problem occurred twice on my 850 2.0 20v saloon. The first time the garage nor myself could find nothing wrong with it as around 4 hours after non-start it started. The information about the ECU on this website helped to target the problem next time (18 months later) when I was distracted after starting (easily done). I removed the oxygen sensor and cleaned it with a clean cloth and left the hole open to the cat for about half an hour to clear the fuel/air mixture. Replacing it, it started first time. Now I never switch off until it has had at least one minute's running time. Hint - never clean the sensor with any cleaning fluid as it can damage the sensing surface.
Hope this might help.

[STE-MAL]

Originally Posted by Gerry Christensen

This problem occurred twice on my 850 2.0 20v saloon. The first time the garage nor myself could find nothing wrong with it as around 4 hours after non-start it started. The information about the ECU on this website helped to target the problem next time (18 months later) when I was distracted after starting (easily done). I removed the oxygen sensor and cleaned it with a clean cloth and left the hole open to the cat for about half an hour to clear the fuel/air mixture. Replacing it, it started first time. Now I never switch off until it has had at least one minute's running time. Hint - never clean the sensor with any cleaning fluid as it can damage the sensing surface.
Hope this might help.

Now that you've said that, It makes good sense. My management lamp used to come on now and again and the fault code for the oxygen sensor was the only one stored. May well be the fault.

[Philc850]

Originally Posted by Gerry Christensen

This problem occurred twice on my 850 2.0 20v saloon. The first time the garage nor myself could find nothing wrong with it as around 4 hours after non-start it started. The information about the ECU on this website helped to target the problem next time (18 months later) when I was distracted after starting (easily done). I removed the oxygen sensor and cleaned it with a clean cloth and left the hole open to the cat for about half an hour to clear the fuel/air mixture. Replacing it, it started first time. Now I never switch off until it has had at least one minute's running time. Hint - never clean the sensor with any cleaning fluid as it can damage the sensing surface.
Hope this might help.

Hi, I hope you'll forgive me as this is my first ever attempt on a forum, so here goes:- Hooray!! it would seem that I'm not the only person to suffer this problem. My, or rather the wifes 1995 (96 model) 2.5 20v 850 est which I (we) have had from new developed a major problem about 2 yrs ago whereby it always starts, but if run for just 5 mins or less, will not restart if stopped, unless cranked for ages, then starts but pops,bangs and NO power until the engine is at normal running temp. In breif, how do you clean the oxygen sensor? more detail please as I've not seen one, or should I simply replace the front Lambda sensor for a new one as I notice on some E-auction sites these are not too expensive. To conclude, I'm sure the ECU (No fault codes) is being upset/confussed by a defective/blocked sensor? thus confussing the ecu, and not tappet, fuel,battery type problem.

[ShadeTek]

This restarting after a short turn-off is not just a Volvo problem. Jaguars have this too and the latest Jags need a visit from the Jaguar dealership with a laptop to get the ECU to reset too, every time it happens. So think yourselves lucky!

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by Philc850

Hi, I hope you'll forgive me as this is my first ever attempt on a forum, so here goes:- Hooray!! it would seem that I'm not the only person to suffer this problem. My, or rather the wifes 1995 (96 model) 2.5 20v 850 est which I (we) have had from new developed a major problem about 2 yrs ago whereby it always starts, but if run for just 5 mins or less, will not restart if stopped, unless cranked for ages, then starts but pops,bangs and NO power until the engine is at normal running temp. In breif, how do you clean the oxygen sensor? more detail please as I've not seen one, or should I simply replace the front Lambda sensor for a new one as I notice on some E-auction sites these are not too expensive. To conclude, I'm sure the ECU (No fault codes) is being upset/confussed by a defective/blocked sensor? thus confussing the ecu, and not tappet, fuel,battery type problem.

there are many sensors which regulate the starting proceedures and without a fault code the only way to proceed is by replacing them all in a methodical manor....
when was the oil last changed?......
this could be a victim of sticky tappets syndrome....
cheers
jod

[Philc850]

Originally Posted by ShadeTek

This restarting after a short turn-off is not just a Volvo problem. Jaguars have this too and the latest Jags need a visit from the Jaguar dealership with a laptop to get the ECU to reset too, every time it happens. So think yourselves lucky!

It just so happens that my car is a Jaguar, and thus I'm very familiar with this problem, however the wifes Volvo is by far worse. Basically the engine will always start from cold (first startup) but unless the engine is run up to full normal working temp, any stop/restart within this period will fail. I don't believe it's tappets as compression seems fine. I'm sure it's a sensor problem, but waht/where, who knows? Thanks anyway.

Nice to see I am not the only one having this difficulty. I bought this car new in 1994. After a couple of months of normal usage, I backed it out of the garage and shut it off. The engine ran less than a minute. Of course it would not fire 5 minutes later. I called the Volvo dealer and he said " Oh that is typical of a 2.0 liter 5 cyl Volvo. Just crank it until it starts. After nearly melting the starter (still under warranty) and the battery nearly dead, the damned thing finally started. Over the past 12 years one forgets from time to time and the same thing is still happening. It appears from the forum that the only fix is once it is cold started - LET ER RUN for at least 5 minutes because if you forget, she is dead in the water unless you have a strong battery and time to spare cranking. I am convinced it is a fuel/air mixture problem - not valves. Anyone???
Joe

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by Joe Blow

Nice to see I am not the only one having this difficulty. I bought this car new in 1994. After a couple of months of normal usage, I backed it out of the garage and shut it off. The engine ran less than a minute. Of course it would not fire 5 minutes later. I called the Volvo dealer and he said " Oh that is typical of a 2.0 liter 5 cyl Volvo. Just crank it until it starts. After nearly melting the starter (still under warranty) and the battery nearly dead, the damned thing finally started. Over the past 12 years one forgets from time to time and the same thing is still happening. It appears from the forum that the only fix is once it is cold started - LET ER RUN for at least 5 minutes because if you forget, she is dead in the water unless you have a strong battery and time to spare cranking. I am convinced it is a fuel/air mixture problem - not valves. Anyone???
Joe

why dont you read your codes and see if you have any sensor faults logged... http://www.volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php
coolant sensors have been known for there wiring to corrode indicating a cold start cycle is required when the car is already warm...
cheers
jod