86 volvo 240dl turns over but doesn't start

About a couple weeks before it died I had been noticing hesitancy or no
"juice" when driving, off and on. Especially on a hill where you need
more "juice".
If this is a fuel filter problem, where would I find it on my car?

 

I believe it is located the same place it is on my 760; under the car
directly below the left front seat.

It would really help to pin the problem down to "fuel" or "ignition" though.
Check what happens if you spray starting fluid in the air cleaner box for a
few seconds, then quickly close up the box and try to start the engine. If
it starts for a moment and then dies off you do indeed have a fuel delivery
problem. If no start at all, look at the ignition.

A more common fuel delivery problem is failure of the solder joints in the
fuel pump relay. It can be replaced easily enough, or the joints can be
resoldered if you are handy with a soldering iron.

Finally, is the tank more than 1/4 full? Another common failure comes from a
torn fuel hose on the in-tank pump. If the fuel level gets below 1/4 the
main pump starts sucking air... may be what you were experiencing on hills.
The temporary patch is to add more fuel to the tank - a couple gallons will
cover the hole. Then get fuel flowing by operating the starter for one
second and releasing the key back to the "run" position for five seconds.
Repeat up to ten times.

Mike

 

.... and keep the door open when you turn it over. Stick your head under
the car and listen if you hear the buzzz of the fuel pump after you
release the key. Should buzz for a second after you release the key.
No buzz, check the relay.
You can put 12V direct to the pump by finding the connector under the
back seat, unplugging and feeding it 12V.
If it buzzes, it's the relay (or the fuse!?.)

 

wow!
thank you for your wealth of knowledge, Michael.
I'll try what you suggested.
I will post my results,

 

thanks clay, too.

 

Has the engine wiring harness been replaced or rebuilt yet? If not then
you need it, the car will not run reliably on the original harness, if
you slice it open you'll see why.