Congrats to you for picking a nice car....I have one too!


The car may one or two items changed to help the cold idle speed. Cleaning the throttle body is only the first step.

A Fuel Pressure Regulator or a Idle Air Control valve. These two items cause this problem or other problems related to them sooner or later on Volvo's.

The IAC is the first choice since the car runs well when warm.

I need to ask if the cars RPM's revs up when first started to about 1200 and then idles at the required 750 when the engine is up to operating temperature. It should do at all times but this operation helps narrow things down. It needs to demonstrate it has the capability to control the idle speed.

The FPR has to be changed out or you have to read the pressure with a gauge. If the pressure is low the engine may run lean when cold but will smooth out once the combustion temperatures come up. Most importantly the spray from the injectors is not a complete conical pattern.

This is not a total answer though.

If the pressure is too high it will run rich and the as the temperature rise it can burn off the excess gas and run better. All in all keep a good spare available when suspicious.

If your mileage gets lower or power hesitates and your ignition/timing system is up to snuff, give it some thought.

Phil