Car Idles bad

bobsyouruncle · Post by **bobsyouruncle** » 14 Feb 2013, 20:59

So I own two 2000 v70's. One is a SE and one is not. The ETM on the SE has failed and I'm replacing. The other one idles like garbage. I took to my local mechanic because the nearest volvo guy is in Green Bay, two hours away. He thinks the CAM's need to be timed?? and he said he doesnt have the volvo tool to do it. So couple questions, does that sound like what the issue is. Is that true, no tool except at volvo? Does it just need a tuneup? Thanks in advance for the help.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Feb 2013, 21:14

Is the idle hunting all over the place? Up to 1000, then almost stalling, then fights its way back, etc.?

bobsyouruncle · Post by **bobsyouruncle** » 15 Feb 2013, 12:51

jblackburn wrote:Is the idle hunting all over the place? Up to 1000, then almost stalling, then fights its way back, etc.?

Yep that's basically it....ideas?

EverRespect · Post by **EverRespect** » 15 Feb 2013, 18:56

Buy a $6 can of MAF cleaner and a $10 can of seafoam. Clean the MAF and Seafoam the intake. If that doesn't fix it, check for vacuum leaks. If that doesn't work, it's the ETM. Hate to say it, but my bet is on the ETM. Order the plug and go one from XeMODeX. If you take it to Volvo, they will bleed you for $2,000 worth of crap along with multiple 2 hour trips to GB before they'll even exercise the idea of replacement. They'll clean it for $600, then they'll "rebuild" the MAF for $400. Then they'll do plugs and coils etc. Eventually the ETM will fail completely, then they'll replace the ETM.

Post by **gmh** » 16 Feb 2013, 19:50

EverRespect wrote:Buy a $6 can of MAF cleaner and a $10 can of seafoam. Clean the MAF and Seafoam the intake. If that doesn't fix it, check for vacuum leaks. If that doesn't work, it's the ETM. Hate to say it, but my bet is on the ETM. Order the plug and go one from XeMODeX. If you take it to Volvo, they will bleed you for $2,000 worth of crap along with multiple 2 hour trips to GB before they'll even exercise the idea of replacement. They'll clean it for $600, then they'll "rebuild" the MAF for $400. Then they'll do plugs and coils etc. Eventually the ETM will fail completely, then they'll replace the ETM.

+1 And the ETM Volvo will replace it with is the same faulty design and will fail eventually as well. The XeModeX ETM is a permanent solution, I put one in my wife's V70 4 years ago and have had no problems.

bobsyouruncle · Post by **bobsyouruncle** » 17 Feb 2013, 13:48

EverRespect wrote:Buy a $6 can of MAF cleaner and a $10 can of seafoam. Clean the MAF and Seafoam the intake. If that doesn't fix it, check for vacuum leaks. If that doesn't work, it's the ETM. Hate to say it, but my bet is on the ETM. Order the plug and go one from XeMODeX. If you take it to Volvo, they will bleed you for $2,000 worth of crap along with multiple 2 hour trips to GB before they'll even exercise the idea of replacement. They'll clean it for $600, then they'll "rebuild" the MAF for $400. Then they'll do plugs and coils etc. Eventually the ETM will fail completely, then they'll replace the ETM.

I've never cleaned a MAF sensor....does this write up compare with my 2000 v70? Link

And cleaning an Intake? Any writeups that you know of, I'm not positive what I'm looking for....I really hope its not the ETM, I'm already replacing that on the other V70 with XeModex, uggg....I need some luck with the cars, I'm spending so much money. Thanks!

Post by **jblackburn** » 17 Feb 2013, 21:11

Pretty much! Just disconnect it and spray the insides. Don't touch anything!

I would clean the throttle body (just use a can of carburetor cleaner); I believe the intake manifold itself should be fine.

Hopefully one of the two will get it going again and not need an ETM, but I'm kinda thinking that's the problem with this car too.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Feb 2013, 09:07

I just did some major repair on my 1999 V70 T5 and have a cold start issue now. Weather just went from 45F down to 11F - with the car sitting for two weeks, on starting it hunts badly between almost stalling and 1200 rpm over about 1/2-1 second intervals.

After a minute or two of running this problem stops. Driveability on highway is fine.

I think it is some water in the fuel and icing of injectors - I have put dry gas (Methanol) in it and it seems better. Ill keep posting resolution. It is my understanding these FIJ system no longer use cold start injectors but meter gas directly to each cylinder for both cold and warm starting?

Post by **rmmagow** » 18 Feb 2013, 09:40

Shouldn't need Dry-Gas anymore with 10% ethanol gas. Probably just too damn cold. Mine stutters for a little bit if I don't drive for a while and it is really cold out. Normal day-to-day use and never a problem.

Post by **abscate** » 04 Jul 2023, 03:52

abscate wrote: ↑18 Feb 2013, 09:07 I just did some major repair on my 1999 V70 T5 and have a cold start issue now. Weather just went from 45F down to 11F - with the car sitting for two weeks, on starting it hunts badly between almost stalling and 1200 rpm over about 1/2-1 second intervals.

After a minute or two of running this problem stops. Driveability on highway is fine.

I think it is some water in the fuel and icing of injectors - I have put dry gas (Methanol) in it and it seems better. Ill keep posting resolution. It is my understanding these FIJ system no longer use cold start injectors but meter gas directly to each cylinder for both cold and warm starting?

Stumbled on this ancient post of mine with no resolution. We can’t have that.

This one turned out to be a loose induction hose at the top intercooler connection that would seal at some point by itself. Go figure. Make sure you get those hoses seated fully and use the Volvo clamps not toy clamps from your local hardware store