2000 V70 XC evap purge valve question & hard starting

dusty · Post by **dusty** » 13 May 2009, 00:53

Hi all, great resource you have built here. I bought a 2000 XC (moondust silver paint) last summer at 183K miles. I turn wrenches as a hobby and it needed the fuel pump replaced and a bunch of maintenance stuff, we really like it, PDQ and comfortable wagon as you all probably know.

I'm wondering if anyone knows or has an explanation of the evap system (mil p0440, the one and only code). Should the evap purge valve be open or closed when the engine is running? I'm guessing it should be open when running and closed when engine is off, or is it the other way around?

The other issue is more of a puzzle, the car has a hard time restarting after getting gas, it starts eventually but we've had to crank the death out of it a few times. Apparently this is happening every time it gets gas. There have been a couple of other random non-gas station times where I've had to crank it longer than normal too. It doesn't matter warm or cold engine or ambient temperature. Also doesn't matter which gas station and it's sitting level, etc.

Could the evap code and the hard starting be related?

By hard to start I mean more than 2-3 seconds of holding the key in the 3 (III) position without starting. My '94 jeep @ 205K barely gets a revolution with the starter before it's running, not used to this stuff.

I heard the starter spin yesterday without the bendix engaging, if this becomes an issue I'm hoping it is the starter and not the ring gear. Anyone have any experience with these kind of issues?

Thanks for reading,
Rob

Post by **Brucebo** » 13 May 2009, 11:14

See this thread.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=19664

The purge valve is normally closed when unenergized. It is opened during canister purging and when performing EPA EVAP tests. Not sure what the ECU uses to decide when it is okay to purge the cannister.

-Bruce

dusty · Post by **dusty** » 13 May 2009, 13:20

That is exactly what I'm looking for, thank you. Any ideas about the hard starting after gas? I'll post back when I find a solution.

Thanks again

RichSad · Post by **RichSad** » 29 Mar 2010, 07:07

Dusty, don't know if you ever solved this. I have the exact problem (hard/not starting after gas fillup). Researching this it seems a common problem with vehicles yet there is very little written about it. I found a discussion on a Volkswagen forum where someone stated with confidence that if the problem only occurs after filling the tank that the problem is the purge valve.

Mine throws the same code P0440 and has the starting problem at every fillup but no other time. I ordered a $30 purge value from FCP Groton and hope to install it today. This problem needs to be documented and the fix explained.

Wish me luck. I'm very un-mechanically inclined so if I can replace the purge value, ANYONE CAN.

ajwgator · Post by **ajwgator** » 29 Mar 2010, 11:59

RichSad, the evap purge valve is what is causing the hard starting after fill ups. The valve is stuck open and letting the fuel fumes during refueling flood into the intake and this has the same result as flooding your engine with fuel. Upon start up after refuel, the engine turns over just fine but does not fire. As you continue cranking the engine it starts to speed up with the starter engaged to the point it is almost at idle speed and then finally starts. With the fuel rich air in the intake plus the fuel being delivered from the injectors at the same time it is just too much fuel and not enough oxygen. Simple as that, the engine is in a flooded condition and the cranking has to continue until it has cleared all of the fuel rich air in the intake. Hope that makes sense and that you got yours fixed.

RichSad · Post by **RichSad** » 18 Apr 2010, 20:54

Yup. I replaced the purge valve (after going through 2 incorrect parts the third I received was right). I replaced it and all is well. Now it starts first crank! Thanks to everyone for the help.

skisix38off · Post by **skisix38off** » 22 Nov 2010, 17:39

This is my first post on this site. I have had trouble free operation from my 2002 V70 so far but am now having trouble with it cranking and generally hard starting. I have just changed the plugs and the fuel pump is new, so is the battery and I get gas at trusted stations.

I read this thread and think this may be a good place to start with trying new parts. My question here is before the Evap purge valve was replaced, once started did the car run well? Mine has a hard time starting and that doesn't seem to follow weather, gas fill ups, or anything. The exhaust smells rich after it is started and the ECM flashes the code "reduced engine performance" for about 1 minute and then that code extinguishes.

Thanks and I hope to find a response!

Looks like you guys have a great amount of information here!

Greg