[Wario700]

Hiya folks

We have a 2007 Volvo V70. The avgasrenings light has been on for a week or so now. I thought maybe I hadn't sealed the gas cap properly after fueling the car but I don't know if that's the issue anymore.

When the car cold-starts the idle is irregular and sometimes needs 3 tries before it turns over and idles regularly. Then for the next few minutes, it accelerates kind of choppy. Then it drives perfectly.

I took it to Mekonomen and they wanted to change timing belts, but they was replaced 2 years ago by a Volvo mechanic (and it hasn't driven much since). Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[andersuw]

You need to find a way to have the DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Code, "felkod" in Swedish) read out, preferably with an OBD-scanner capable of getting them in Volvo's own format rather than the generic format provided by all-purpose scanners. If the emission warning light is on, you have at least one such code to go by and it will give you an idea of what the culprit is.

Once you have the codes (the codes themselves, not just their short-hand interpretation) you might be able to get further help by posting them here. Please also tell us which engine (submodel) you have.

A certified Volvo workshop will do the scanning for you but it will cost a little bit. A decent Mekonomen workshop should be able to do it too although I am not sure that they all have equally good equipment at their disposal. If you tell us where you are you might also be able to get help with the scanning from a forum member. Some of us have the equipment it takes.

Changing timing belt in this scenario seems like a very odd suggestion as you correctly conclude. Unless something has gone seriously wrong with the belt (e.g., that it has slipped so that it is in the wrong position), it is unlikely to be the cause. But since I don't know what diagnostic measures Mekonomen took to come up with that idea, I have no way of telling for sure.