Got a check engine light in Sept'05. Brought it to dealer. They replaced "sticking charcoal canister evap. valve". Cost me $185. Less than a week later, it lighted up again! Service rep. wanted to charge $120 again just to diagnose again! Talked to manager and he waived it. They replaced a "vacuum hose stunt" that was supposedly brittle. 5 months later, light is on again! I brought it to a volvo indy shop who charged me $65 to diagnose and told me to bring it back to dealer and have them give a warranty service for their work since the error code is #611 again.

Called dealer service manager and he said he will charge me $120 to diagnose! If problem is the same, they'll warrant it, if it is a different part, they'll charge for diagnosis, labor and parts! This light is costing me too much, but the car seems to be running fine! From what I heard, code 611 involves 25 or so parts.

Any advice ?

Also, what is a good OBD-II(?) diagnostic code reader for volvos ?

I also want to get a repair manual. I hope to do some maintenance work myself or I will lose my pants having this car diagnosed by witch doctors!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.