Volvo Repair: mass air flow sensor, mass air flow sensor, mass air flow

Question
QUESTION: Hey Roger;
I am in the process of changing the mass air flow sensor in my 1991 Volvo 240, and discovered that there is dirty gasoline in the hose running from the MAF into the engine.  The hose running into the MAF from the air box and the air box and filter are all completely clean of the fluid, but there is a fair amount in the hose on the other side.  Have any idea why that is, if it is a terrible problem, should I move on installing the new MAF, etc?
I'm a complete amateur here, and very newly the owner of this Volvo, and I am most appreciative of any advice you could give me.

Thanks;

James

ANSWER: James that is normal but I need to know if your fuel pressure regulator is leaking.  Pull the small vacuum hose of and see if it has gas coming out.  Why are you changing the Air Mass meter?  Roger

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I didn't have any gas coming out of the vacuum hose, but now the situation seems to have deteriorated.
The Story:
I recently acquired this Volvo from a friend, and it had "died " while she had it.  I had it looked at (by auto body repair folk, who confessed little knowledge with the 'particularities' of Volvos), and a replaced coil had it running again, but very poorly.  It was very hard to start, especially cold, and the idle and was crazy.  Idling the engine would sort of chug along for a moment, then rev up for a few seconds, chug along again, rev, etc.  When stopped at a light, I had to cram the brake down to keep it in place when it would rev.  
Chapter 2:
A Volvo enthusiast friend rode with me for a few miles, hopped out and unplugged the air mass meter, and the car immediately ceased the crazy rev chug idle bit and started running smoothly, albeit with a rather high idle speed.  He told me I just needed to replace the AMM and it would be good to go.
Chapter 3:
Kept driving the car while looking for an affordable AMM, and the gas mileage swiftly went to hell, then I had a problem where the car would start fine, but as soon as it was put in gear, the engine would begin to die, kind of rythmically churning.  I jammed the gas to keep it running, it 'coughed' loudly and came to life.  Drove it home, waited for the AMM I had ordered online (a steal at $50 compared to the $250-$400 I had found everywhere else) to arrive, changed it out, and tried to start the car.  No turn over.  The starter is cranking away, and it seemed to try to fire a couple of times, but no go.  
The End Up Until Now...

Sorry for the long drawn out tale, but that is what I know about the situation.

Any ideas?

Thanks Roger

Answer
James, Man, it can be anything and without making some tests, I can only give you a few things to check.  Check to see if the fuel relay is clicking under the passenger felt material. Check for spark.  It may also be the impulse sensor(speed sensor) on top of the bell housing.  Roger