I purchased a 1998 XC V70 that sat for quite some time and has 50k miles. When driving on the highway over 55, I get an occasional 'miss'; almost like the gas flow stopped, but then starts back up again. Very minor hesitation within almost a split second. Along with that, when I fill the gas tank full, I get leakage under the driver's side rear door where the fuel is attached to the tank (?). I've taken it into my mechanic (non-Volvo) and he always tightens that connection and we're fine for a short while. He said that I might want to look into a new fuel tank, pump, etc. Didn't know if this sounded like a typical issue with the XC but with such low mileage thought it was unusual. If the car has sat for a while, maybe dealing with gasket issues or dirty gas tank is causing hesitation....any help or direction would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

A good start would be to change the fuel filter. Probably or may not be the issue, but is cheap and easy to do and rule out.

Not understanding where the leak is from; are you overfilling (topping off) or stopping when the pump stops?

 

Will try the fuel filter replacement. I do fill it up but not to overflow. Ive had it in the shop and watched my mechanic tighten up the connection just under/driver rear passenger door. I only fill it up 3/4 full now. I did let it get down to a bit under a quarter tank and it acted like it was out of gas. Because it sat for a year or two...sediment in tank?

 

The car is 20 years old. The SAFE thing is to have your mechanic remove the tank and inspect for cracks or other signs of leaks. The filler hose might be worn out which would require a replacement.

50k miles on a 20 year old car spells trouble. You would have been better to buy one with 150k miles that had been regularily serviced.

Enjoy the low miles, though.

 

These cars are easy to get parts for and really pretty easy to fix. You would have no problem getting a new seal for that fill line. Gas tanks are plastic, so they don't rust. The whole system in my opinion is a good design.


The real problem with them is people. You'll get plenty of clueless people giving advice, or in this case your mechanic doesn't want to take the car apart because he's afraid he will break something and not be able to put it back together. I know how he feels. You'll need a Volvo mechanic. Mechanics are really pretty afraid of them, but they are not at all hard to work on. Not at all.

 

thanks for all of the info! good to know! You might be right about 20 year old car....now the hatch dash light stays on. Back hatch door doesn't want to latch closed at times; had to play with latch directly and put it in the 'open' position to close. Doesn't happen all the time. Have notice that the lights now don't blink when I'm locking them and the back hatch light doesn't want to shut off. Up to 53k miles on it...other than the dealer, don't have a local Volvo guy...

 

where are you located

 

I'm located in Indianapolis, Indiana. I'm sure there are other Volvo mechanics, but just don't know of one that I would trust. I've found a really good Meineke dealer that can do everything. I'd probably have him work on the gas issue. Have a '99 Mercedes e320 that's got 150k; he's worked on for general issues. Had a crank case sensor that went out, had to have Mercedes install that one...

 

By the way, I've had two white block volvos that cut out on the highway with a bit of a hiccup. What I found was that the intake rear cam seal was leaking. Every now and then a slug of motor oil would go through the distributor. The seals walk out and you don't even have to replace them. You can just hammer it back in for another 10 years.