340 GLE 1.7 cutting out when turning right

Here's a strange problem I have with a 1987 Volvo 340 1.7 GLE that was given to me a couple of years ago. The car suffers from the usual problems with this model that are well-documented on this site (erratic tickover, moisture getting in distributor cap etc), but this particular example has an interesting extra problem: when straightening up after turning right, the engine stumbles momentarily (2-3 seconds) as though suffering from fuel starvation.

This problem started subtly and has gradually got worse to the point where it is a real nuisance in certain situations (eg turning right across oncoming traffic etc). Any ideas what the cause could be?

I can only think it could be 1) something wrong in petrol tank plumbing (I'm sure I can smell petrol after filling up) 2) poor fuel pump performance or 3) carburettor problems. I had the carb off recently and found nothing obviously amiss. Jets weren't blocked etc, but I didn't check the float was up to spec. Could it be this? It certainly made no difference after I had cleaned and checked everything.

I've run out of ideas for now, so any suggestions welcome.

Paul

Hi Paul

If you can smell fuel when you`ve just filled up, chances are that the plumbing around the expansion tank and the fuel tank proper is perished. This is a common problem with 300 series cars and is down to Volvo using s**t tubing. Best replace the lot of it - careful though - I`ve found the fittings a bit on the fragile side.

Just a theory on the turning right problem - the 1.7 engine is famous for warping it`s carb base - could the centrifugal force from turning R. be moving the carb just enough to give a bad seal until you straighten up. You could try moving the carb to the L. with the engine running to see if replicates the stumbling.

If this is the case whip it off and check the base with a straight edge - you might get away with just snugging it down a tad - otherwise some say it can be flattened with care (I`ve never tried this) or you may get lucky and find a straight carb in a scrappy`s

Will

Thanks for your suggestions, Will.

Paul

I dont know if this helps but a few years ago i had a Honda Civic
whitch suffered from the same problem. It took me ages to find it
( and here it cost me serious money as the CIVIC is a FWD and by the time i got it solved the CV joints we gone!!)

The problem was water in the petrol tank!!
Because water is heavier than petrol it goes to the bottom
of the carb flood tank, and when turning the water gathers on to one side and the pickup gets it!

To see if this is true ... remove the inline filter ...
and try to remove all of the petrol by shaking on to a cement floor

it theres water ... you will see it "beed" on the floor!

Hope this is not your problem, has you have to remove the petrol tank and give it a good clean.

Also try to find how the water got in there...