The car starts up normally, but the idle is sort of rough and irregular. For about 2-3 minutes after startup, there is absolutely no power. It doesn't shut down but the engine barely responds when I step on the go pedal. Kinda scary, cause there is no response at all. Then suddenly, the engine smooths out, the revs spike up just a little, then responds and runs normally. No check engine light (thank goodness)

This didn't start happening until today. When I filled up today, the gas pump nozzle did not shut off automatically so I think the tank was overfilled (not a good thing, I know). I really suspect I got some bad gas. The car has never run like this before. Its always been smooth and powerful.

So given no CE light and the gasoline issue, what do the symptoms sound like? Bad gas or something else? I put a bottle of STP water remover in the tank and it does seem to help a bit. I know if it was the fuel pump, the car wouldn't start at all.

1998 V70 GLT

Hi there, if the car continues to run rough with this tank of gas I would siphon it all out and maybe use it in my lawnmower. Put in some new gas from a jerry can and take it for a longish ride, trying to use up what's left of that old gas. Some gas stations have higher levels of fuel system cleaners in their gas. If this is the case, some gas tank crud likely blocked the fuel filter enough to cause rough idle etc. Here in Canada, Mohawk gas can do this to cars. If you end up changing out the filter, take it apart and see if you can find the gunk, to confirm this is the problem. Just some thoughts. ~Gerald



1998 v70 xc 120,000 mi.