S40 (New) General : Slow Starts and fuel filter location

[Element888]

Good morning.
We recently bought S40 1.8 petrol model year 2008. I was wondering if there is external fuel filter underneath the car, as I could not locate one. Google says some models might not have one, and the one in fuel tank is together with fuel pump.
Also anyone on this or similar model engine has experienced slow starts and cranking and what was the solution.
Ours will not always start with first go and sometimes takes up to 10 sec to start. Sparks plugs been changed.
Many Thanks

[MDS40]

I don,t think Volvo fitted the fuel filter to UK versions.
I couldn't find one on my 2.4 S40 despite being sold one by ecp and the Haynes manual showing the location.
If anyone knows better please let me know.

[volvopilot]

I have a 1.8 petrol as well and I used to experience the same thing after I bought it. But first of all, are you experiencing slow start or slow crank? In the case of a slow crank I would suspect the battery and battery terminals.

if the crank is solid but it simply does not fire up, or it starts with very low revs (400rpm) it might have to do with a dirty throttle body and overall a dirty inlet manifold.

What I did to fix the problem was the following:
- replace the air filter
- clean airfilter housing
- clean throttle body
- wynns petrol cleaner

it does start every time on the first attempt now. If it does not work for you, you might want to clean the TMAP sensor as well which is located underneath the plastic inlet manifold. A little bit hard to reach, but you can find a good video on youtube how to locate and clean it. (search for: duratec HE TMAP)

[Vanndan]

I had the same thing on my v50 2.0D, did all the cleaning of the throttle body egr valve etc but ended up being the starter motor in the end

[Element888]

Thanks for great suggestions. The car is slow to start, it cranks fine, just slow. Air filter just recently replaced, same as battery. Throttle might need some cleaning

[volvopilot]

yes, focus on the throttle body + TMAP sensor cleaning and it will probably will start up fine again. You can disconnect the battery for a couple of minutes after cleaning to quickly relearn the ECU for idle values.