Hi:  We own a 1997 Volvo 850, normally aspirated engine (2.4L) with 163,000km on it.  This car has been working fine since new but last weekend a
strange problem developed.
 
Scenario is as follows:
 
1) Car started in the garage and driven about 20 feet then parked.
 
2) Cleaned car during the day, then started it and backed it up into the garage then parked.
 
3) Next morning, engine turns over fine but will not start.
 
4) I decided to change the spark plugs since the current ones had about 60,000km on them.  Bought new Bosch Platinum +4s and installed.
 
5) Engine turns over fine but still won't start.
 
6) Called my regular mechanic who lives quite far away from my home but who's worth the drive.  He is a sort of "Volvo guru" but he can fix anything
with wheels.  After I explained the above to him, he instantly came up with the solution.  It seems that the 850 is  prone to flooding when one starts the
car cold, runs it for a few seconds then shuts it off ... THEN, repeats this procedure without warming up the engine.  The solution is to hold the gas
pedal to the floor and crank the engine ... I had to do this for a couple of minutes (with breaks in there so as not to cook the starter) but the car did
start.  I've had the car out for several runs and it works fine.  The engine seems to really like to Bosch plugs; the thing just purrs.
 
Just in case this may be of some help to someone.
 
Regards,
Raymond