Hard to start in humid/wet/cold weather

Dimpsy · Oct 26th, 2010, 18:06

OK I know a service is really required, but is there something I can do myself, (cheaply and easily!) to help?
She starts fine when it is hot, dry weather or when the engine is warm. I had wondered about changing spark plugs - would that help on it's own or would I need to do leads as well?
It's an elderly 740 GL estate

vjck_uk · Oct 26th, 2010, 18:33

yes it could well do as worn plugs especially if the gap is to big needs lots more volts to spark it which in damp weather will find easier ways to earth through any weak spots in the ht leads or distributer cap,get someone to try starting it while you have the bonnet open preferably in the dark ive seen them like blackpool with sparks going all over the place

Dimpsy · Oct 26th, 2010, 19:02

Thanks, good tip, will have to go vist a friend in the dark and have a look what happens!!

Oilydad · Oct 26th, 2010, 22:34

Hi and welcome. (I see you are in Exeter too!!)

Get the distributor cap off and thoroughly clean and dry the inside of it out. Probably make a big difference. Make sure, while it's off that it's not cracked. if it is, bin it, because the spark will track down the crack as you've been told and not go to your sparkplugs.

Also GENTLY chip off the oxidisation that will almost certainly be on the posts inside the cap. Use a screwdriver...GENTLY.........or better still replace the cap.

Nice bright contacts will make a hell of a difference. Once they get all dirty and oxidised, you'll lose a lot of spark.

Really you want to do a full ignition clean up and check everything over, which will cost you about an hour and a half in time, and possibly no money at all. Only then will you find the problem.

I'd do it now. Winter is fast approaching, and do you REALLY want to be stuck with a non-starting car in the snow ice next month !!

Dimpsy · Oct 27th, 2010, 00:01

Alright, I admit it, I'm going senile, and I'm blonde, but it doesn't appear to have a distributor cap, at least not the sort I'm used to. I wanted to spray it, and could never find it to spray!!!

Where on earth is it hidden on a 88 740?? I had decided it didn't have one LOL

mac2542 · Oct 27th, 2010, 01:05

I think yours will be at the back of the cylinder head. Follow the ignition cables from the spark plugs.

Citizen.Agfa · Oct 27th, 2010, 09:26

Modern ignition leads are manufactured from a carbon composite which breaks down over time, allowing the ingress of damp; this is why it is difficult to start your car when cold or damp as the leads are wet inside.

Do yourself a favour and get a new set of 5 leads (4 plugs + king lead from coil to dizzie), preferrably o/e Volvo ones and you should (from experience) see a remarkable improvement immediately.

Hth, C.A.

Oilydad · Oct 27th, 2010, 10:11

Distributor Cap could also be on the right hand side of your engine, looking at it from the front of the car.

Just follow the ignition leads. I can promise you it WILL have one!!

Incidentally, if you haven't got a Haynes manual, I have one here (No 1258) 740 and 760 cars 1982 to 1991 up to j reg petrol vehicles that you can have if you want to meet me sometime.

It's in good nick and FREE. Let me know.

rusty244 · Oct 27th, 2010, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citizen.Agfa

Modern ignition leads are manufactured from a carbon composite which breaks down over time, allowing the ingress of damp; this is why it is difficult to start your car when cold or damp as the leads are wet inside.

Do yourself a favour and get a new set of 5 leads (4 plugs + king lead from coil to dizzie), preferrably o/e Volvo ones and you should (from experience) see a remarkable improvement immediately.

Hth, C.A.

Had this exact thing on my 240 about 10 years ago. Difficulty starting when damp - pulled the leads at the spark plug end and they were soaking wet inside.

Dimpsy · Oct 27th, 2010, 13:36

mac2542,yep, that's whats odd about this car, (well, to me anyway),with all my others, the spark plug leads went into the plastic detachable cap covering rotor arm etc, which I could unclip and dry inside - on this car the leads go into what appears to be an 'ungettable at' box on the end of the cylinder block.
Not only could I not find the cap part, but it doesn't even look as though you are meant to get at it - that's what I meant by no distributor cap.

I have a feeling if I don't learn to describe things better I'll get sent off the board before I've fixed the car - sorry.

Oilydad I would LOVE the Haynes manual, thank you - I'm not allowed to pm yet though, so will have to post some more daft things before I can let you have my address!

Oct 26th, 2010, 18:06	#1
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	Hard to start in humid/wet/cold weather OK I know a service is really required, but is there something I can do myself, (cheaply and easily!) to help? She starts fine when it is hot, dry weather or when the engine is warm. I had wondered about changing spark plugs - would that help on it's own or would I need to do leads as well? It's an elderly 740 GL estate

Oct 26th, 2010, 22:34	#4
Oilydad Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2016 21:21 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Exeter Devon	Hi and welcome. (I see you are in Exeter too!!) Get the distributor cap off and thoroughly clean and dry the inside of it out. Probably make a big difference. Make sure, while it's off that it's not cracked. if it is, bin it, because the spark will track down the crack as you've been told and not go to your sparkplugs. Also GENTLY chip off the oxidisation that will almost certainly be on the posts inside the cap. Use a screwdriver...GENTLY.........or better still replace the cap. Nice bright contacts will make a hell of a difference. Once they get all dirty and oxidised, you'll lose a lot of spark. Really you want to do a full ignition clean up and check everything over, which will cost you about an hour and a half in time, and possibly no money at all. Only then will you find the problem. I'd do it now. Winter is fast approaching, and do you REALLY want to be stuck with a non-starting car in the snow ice next month !! __________________ Are We Nearly There Yet! No longer a VOLVO owner, not by choice, but 'cause they don't make proper Volvos any more! Last edited by Oilydad; Oct 26th, 2010 at 22:38.

Oct 27th, 2010, 01:05	#6
mac2542 Any Volvo will do Last Online: Oct 4th, 2015 00:28 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Port Seton	I think yours will be at the back of the cylinder head. Follow the ignition cables from the spark plugs. __________________ John _______________________________________________ 1998 V70 TDI Manual

Oct 27th, 2010, 09:26	#7
Citizen.Agfa VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 16:34 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nowhere.	Modern ignition leads are manufactured from a carbon composite which breaks down over time, allowing the ingress of damp; this is why it is difficult to start your car when cold or damp as the leads are wet inside. Do yourself a favour and get a new set of 5 leads (4 plugs + king lead from coil to dizzie), preferrably o/e Volvo ones and you should (from experience) see a remarkable improvement immediately. Hth, C.A. __________________

Oct 27th, 2010, 10:11	#8
Oilydad Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2016 21:21 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Exeter Devon	Distributor Cap could also be on the right hand side of your engine, looking at it from the front of the car. Just follow the ignition leads. I can promise you it WILL have one!! Incidentally, if you haven't got a Haynes manual, I have one here (No 1258) 740 and 760 cars 1982 to 1991 up to j reg petrol vehicles that you can have if you want to meet me sometime. It's in good nick and FREE. Let me know. __________________ Are We Nearly There Yet! No longer a VOLVO owner, not by choice, but 'cause they don't make proper Volvos any more!

Oct 26th, 2010, 18:33	#2
vjck_uk Premier member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2017 15:54 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southern edge of birmingham	yes it could well do as worn plugs especially if the gap is to big needs lots more volts to spark it which in damp weather will find easier ways to earth through any weak spots in the ht leads or distributer cap,get someone to try starting it while you have the bonnet open preferably in the dark ive seen them like blackpool with sparks going all over the place

Oct 26th, 2010, 19:02	#3
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	Thanks, good tip, will have to go vist a friend in the dark and have a look what happens!!

Oct 27th, 2010, 00:01	#5
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	Alright, I admit it, I'm going senile, and I'm blonde, but it doesn't appear to have a distributor cap, at least not the sort I'm used to. I wanted to spray it, and could never find it to spray!!! Where on earth is it hidden on a 88 740?? I had decided it didn't have one LOL

Oct 27th, 2010, 13:36	#10
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	mac2542,yep, that's whats odd about this car, (well, to me anyway),with all my others, the spark plug leads went into the plastic detachable cap covering rotor arm etc, which I could unclip and dry inside - on this car the leads go into what appears to be an 'ungettable at' box on the end of the cylinder block. Not only could I not find the cap part, but it doesn't even look as though you are meant to get at it - that's what I meant by no distributor cap. I have a feeling if I don't learn to describe things better I'll get sent off the board before I've fixed the car - sorry. Oilydad I would LOVE the Haynes manual, thank you - I'm not allowed to pm yet though, so will have to post some more daft things before I can let you have my address!

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