# Volvo **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 4, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707 "2009-04-04T02:35:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hondas2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@hondas2000](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hondas2000)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707/1 "2009-04-04T02:35:47Z")
1981 Volvo 240Dl are those good cars? It will turn over but won’t start any ideas ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707/2 "2009-04-04T03:20:45Z")
generally good cars, not so with later model Volvo’s. Lot’s of reasons why it won’t start. Not getting fuel, and/or not getting spark are first things to check. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707/3 "2009-04-04T17:38:37Z")
I think that DI is a Diesel Injection so no spark plugs. If the starter is turning it over normally, it is likely a fuel issue or like some diesels it has an anti-shutter valve and it may be sticking closed. Sorry I don’t not Volvos well enough to be more specific. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707/4 "2009-04-04T18:52:12Z")
Are you thinking about buying the car? If so and you manage to get it running find/pay a versed local Volvo mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/volvo/28707/5 "2009-04-04T18:55:17Z")
I’m guessing you mean a 240DL, which was a good car in its day, nothing special now. A car made after, say, 2000 would be better in almost every way.