Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000
From: ellie desilva
Glenn,
You helped me once before with a question I had about restoring my dash. Now I have another concern about the fuel system on my 1970 Volvo 1800e.
When I went to purchase the car in Colorado, the car drove fine. I had a Volvo mechanic look at it, and he said it looked good. It sat for a month, waiting to be delivered to me here in California, and by the time it got here, it was completely out of fuel, and even with fuel, wouldn't run. There was a high-pitched hum coming from the back and the car would start, but wouldn't run, because something kept causing the fuel supply to cut out.
I changed the fuel filter (which was filled to the brim with sediment), checked the lines, checked the fuel tank, and then it ran fine for about a week, until the car went in for restoration. It sat for another month, and when I got the car back, the people who replaced the dash blew out most of my fuses, and the car started, ran for a bit, then the fuel cut out everytime I tried to accelerate and finally stalled and wouldn't even start up again.
I replaced the fuel filter again, which was filled again with sediment, but that didn't seem to do it this time. So, we had the fuel pump remanufactured (in case the sediment got to the pump and damaged it). The lines were again clear, but the car still wouldn't even start. We rotated the relays and checked the voltage on them, and suddenly, the car started. It continued to start, and to actually run for about a week. But then I let it sit for a day, and now the car starts and idles, but I began to hear the high-pitched hum again, and then the fuel started cutting out when I accelerated, and now it continues to start and continues to run in idle, but if I try to drive it or give it any gas, it stalls out.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have on what the problem might be. I'd really like to be able to drive my car some day. Hopefully you might have some good insight. Thanks, Ellie
Ellie - The high-pitched hum probably is the fuel pump trying to pump fuel through a system clogged with sediment. The sediment likely is rust from the inside of the fuel tank. The best fix for this would be a new fuel tank, but they are not being sold at present. Rumor has it that they will be produced in the future for Volvo dealers, maybe in the next year or two, but I wouldn't plan on it. Check with John Sharisky at Boston Volvo (800-336-2355).
You have a few other options. All involve removing the fuel tank. You can use commercially-available chemicals to clean and resurface the inside of the tank (http://www.hirschauto.com) or you can have this done ( http://www.gas-tank.com). Another option would be to have a new tank custom-made for the car. I'm not sure where you could have this done, but I would check with local racing enthusiasts and radiator shops.
If you just want to get the car running with the least amount of hassle, you might try draining the fuel tank and rinsing it out with gasoline. I am not familiar with the fuel tank on the '70E, but some fuel-injection models have a pre-filter located in the fuel tank that may get clogged. From what I've heard, this pre-filter may be removed from the bottom of the tank and cleaned. Hope you get it running soon. -Glenn.