YACT: car has trouble starting from a cold start

[gotsmack]

88 volvo 760 turbo. 94K miles on it

Car battery died a few months back and the car never started the same again. It would take 3 tries to start the car when normally the car would start strong on the first try. I tried turning the key 1/2 way for 3 seconds before turning the key the rest of the way, that helps a little. I can get the car started on the second try now. Could it be a bad fuel pump?

I'm also getting less than 15mpg (like 14.5) from 80% driving around town. I'm used to getting 17 around town.


Took it to the mechanic 2 months back and he said it could be anything so he's not going to do anything about it until somethnig breaks. He did do an emissions test and said everything was burning ok. I asked him about the o2 sesnor and he said the emissions indicates that it is working fine.

thanks in advance

 

[Safeway]

Get a tune up. Maybe a new starter.

 

[Ornery]

Quixfire told me this, regarding Ford's throttle body. Make sure the throttle plate is closing fully. Carbon builds up around the edge of the plate keeping it from sealing. That would account for the starting, but no idea about the mileage. Try fuel injector cleaner, if it has 'em.

Oh yeah, vacuum leakscould be the cause of both problems.

 

[m2kewl]

did you get a new battery? check the starter, check fuel pressure, fuel pump, and when was last time you replaced the fuel filter?

 

[CrackRabbit]

An 88 should have an OBD1 computer, take it to a local Autozone and have them check for computer codes it might help in diagnosing the problem.
And as Ornery said vacuum leaks could be the cause of your troubles...

 

[thedarkwolf]

http://www.turbobricks.com/
ask there