Volvo: 740gle none starter, k jetronic, distributer cap

Question
Hi Jason,
I have only had the car four weeks, so have no idea what was done to it before.

When you crank it over it does sound like it's trying to fire up, but it just don't quite get there.

I will do what you have suggested,and let you know how it goes.

Thanks
Rob

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Followup To
Question -
Hello Jason,

I'm hoping you will be able to point me in the right direction.

I'got a 740GLE 1988 2.3 4 cyl, with K-Jetronic manuel fuel intection system.

The problem started a couple of weeks ago, it would start then stall and sound as if it was missing, the idle was always lumpy,if i tried to pull away before it warmed up the revs would drop and it sounded like it was going to cut out. After it warmed up it would stop stalling, and would pull away ok, but still have a lumpy idle.

2 days ago i done the usal thing, started it up waited for the idle to drop and stall then restarted, this time When i pulled away i got to the end of the street and pulled away again and it dropped the revs and died.

I have not been able to get it started since.
Now and again it sounds like it's trying to fire up, but just don't catch.

So far i have completly cleaned out the throttle body, this was done a couple of days before it died.
Have fitted new injector seals, checked that fuel is getting to the injectors by turning the engine over with them out.
There is good preasure at the petrol filter.
The start up jet works fine.

I removed the distributer cap and check the inside of the cap and the rotor arm.

The posts in the cap and the rotor arm had heavy burn deposits.
The oil seal behind the distributer cap also seems to be leaking.
The spark to the spark plugs is very weak and white in colour.

My friend suspects that the coil might be at fault, he plug a spark plug directly in to the coil, the spark was slightly better, but not great.

Can you think of anything else that could be the cause of the problem.
I will be fitting a new distributer cap and oil seal.

Thanks
Rob
Answer -
A few things to think about.  First, if you haven't done the electrical components in a while, replace everything from the coil to the spark plugs.  Also, make darn sure the gap on the spark plugs is set correctly, that can effect the strength of the spark.  Also, check the timing.  Retarded timing can cause similar symtoms.

Answer
You say it trys to fire up while cranking, but doesn't quite get there.  That to me sounds like a possible problem with the cold start valve, or the cold start injector, especially if the almost catching is due to not enough fuel in the chamber.  Check those as well.