QuestionRoger, my mechanic did as you suggested. The new air mass meter he had put it worked fine with your suggestion but the car is still not running well. When he takes the air cleaner off and holds the flap open on the bottom of the box, it runs fine--smooths out and doesn't smoke, but when he lets it go is acts like it is starved for air. Any other suggestions?
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Roger, I have a 1994 Volvo 850, non-turbo.
My 850 would not start--it cranked and cranked. Because the quality of our gas in this rural area is not always the best, I put a bottle of Heet in the tank. Still no luck. I changed the fuel filter--nothing. Tow started it. Lots of black smoke, then rough running, no VERY sluggish acceleration. Took it to my local mechanic who is by no means a Volvo expert. He replaced the air filter, the oxygen sensor and changed the plugs. Checked the gasoline, no problem. He said these efforts smoothed out the engine some, but it is still running too rich with continued sluggish acceleration. He doesn't know what to do next? I love this car but it is beginning to cost more money than I may be willing to spend to repair it. It is a very long way to the nearest Volvo expert--can you provide some advice for my mechanic?
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Ellen, have him test the air mass meter. Have him unplug it, start the car, let it surge then replug in the air mass meter. If the car dies, then replace the meter. Roger
AnswerEllen, if you live in a warm climate, have him by-pass that stupid flap. I hate those things. Not for nothing but did he happen to check the wires and cap and rotor? Also, what brand and kind of air mass meter did he put in there? If its some rebuilt junk then get it out of there and have a new Bosch unit installed. We have seen problems with rebuilt units. Roger
