Volvo wont restart after running out of petrol

Barr · 15-03-2008 4:14pm #1

Hi All

I took a Volvo 850 for a drive today but it ran out of petrol.At least it seemed like that.
When i topped it up again I can not get it restarted.

Any ideas what to do next ?

mickdw · 15-03-2008 4:49pm

Petrol should flow again once topped up. Can you hear the fuel pump running when you turn on ignition?

Esel · 15-03-2008 5:32pm

It will usually take a few starting attempts to get the fuel through the lines.

Also, when the tank was running very low, dirt may have been sucked into the lines, blocking the filter. Can you disconnect the fuel line downstream of the filter, turn the engine over and see if petrol is flowing out? Easier if you have someone with you to watch the line while you crank the starter. Remember to reconnect the line!

If fuel is flowing, you may have flooded the engine. In this case, push the accelerator pedal to the floor and crank the engine for 10-15 seconds. Stop, wait about 30 seconds, then try to start normally (i.e. with your foot off the accelerator).

Barr · 15-03-2008 5:38pm

I can hear the petrol pump allrite , think this seems to be working

The egine doeent seem to be flooded , I m thinking now maybe its something else thats giving trouble

mickdw · 15-03-2008 5:44pm

Well if your not sure about it running out of petrol, it could be anything so cant help any further really

Barr · 15-03-2008 6:00pm

it drove for a while then just started spluttering like it was out of petrol. Fuel light was also on.

Engine is turning over , splutters a little then just dies

Webmonkey · 15-03-2008 6:13pm

Like suggested above, did you check the fuel filter?

Barr · 20-03-2008 8:15pm

Handy hint from my mechanic which got it started

Tow the car in 5th gear , hey presto it started straight away

not sure how it worked but it did

Webmonkey · 20-03-2008 8:16pm

Good stuff, works quite often alright - takes the pressure off trying to turn the engine when starting.

Is it running perfect now - no lumpy running or anything?

Barr · 20-03-2008 8:20pm

nope perfect ... dont think i'll let the petrol level go that low again

Webmonkey · 20-03-2008 8:22pm

Cool stuff - sometimes air can get trapped in system AFAIK so might have just needed a lot of engine turning to get it to start.

Del2005 · 21-03-2008 11:14am

A lot of cars now if they run dry won't reach the fuel out let pipe with 5l of fuel put in. The base of the tank is so flat that 5l doesn't fill enough to reach the out flow.

Esel · 21-03-2008 6:46pm

Del2005 wrote: »

A lot of cars now if they run dry won't reach the fuel out let pipe with 5l of fuel put in. The base of the tank is so flat that 5l doesn't fill enough to reach the out flow.

Sounds illogical. How did the car drink the previous 5 litres then?

Del2005 · 22-03-2008 8:58am

esel wrote: »

Sounds illogical. How did the car drink the previous 5 litres then?

When you are driving the fuel is sloshing around the tank and getting to the outlet, when it runs out the car starts chugging as the fuel isn't reaching the outlet all the time. When the car stops the outlet is now higher then the fuel level and adding 5l won't raise the level high enough if the tank has a large base.

Same as when driving with low fuel in a car, the warning light flashes a couple of times before coming on permantly.

Webmonkey · 22-03-2008 11:01am

Del2005 wrote: »

When you are driving the fuel is sloshing around the tank and getting to the outlet, when it runs out the car starts chugging as the fuel isn't reaching the outlet all the time. When the car stops the outlet is now higher then the fuel level and adding 5l won't raise the level high enough if the tank has a large base.

Same as when driving with low fuel in a car, the warning light flashes a couple of times before coming on permantly.

How would it drink 5 litres during the chugging stage?

Volvo wont restart after running out of petrol

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