Perserverance pays

[Waxman]

I always buy second hand cars. I like Volvos alot. They are great to drive on my 40 min commute. They are safe and reliable and I'm brand loyal.

That said, they do have issues from time to time ; like all vehicles. So I didn't get too upset when my 2006 XC90 sputtered and died Sunday morning on my way to the wash.

It was towed. 3 different mechanics diagnosed it as having 'jumped time'. The V8 in mine has a chain, so I was dubious from the start about the timing being off, but I'll admit it had a funky sound when you cranked the engine.

Once I got it back to the carwash I decided to try starting fluid to see if I could get it to fire. I removed the airbox and found a big ol mouse nest clogging the air intake!!! Once I removed the nest and washed out the airbox, it ran great!!!

 

[MEP001]

I had something similar happen to me, was going on a service call with a 2008 Ford Econoline and it completely lost power as soon as I got onto the street, so I parked it and walked back to get the other identical van, which did the same thing. I figured sugar in the gas or something, but I didn't see any sign. Rats or squirrels had shredded the air filters and some of it had gotten sucked into the electric throttle body and it limited engine RPM by shutting down cylinders and disabling the throttle. I cut a disk out of vinyl coated hardware cloth to block anything else from getting in.

As far as a misdiagnosis, the worst one I experienced was with a 98 Chevy Express van with a diesel that failed to start. Two dealers took a quick look at it and said it needed a new engine to the tune of $15,000. When we went to pick it up with a tow truck, one of our guys cut the belt and it started right up. The AC compressor clutch bearing had seized.

 

[Eric H]

Waxman, I’m going to bring you a cat later in the week to take care of your mouse problem.

MEP, I hope you bought that guy a case of beer. He saved you a whole lot of $$$$!!!

 

[Waxman]

Sorry Eric, but I'm a dog person!

 

[Kramerwv]

A friend of mine had the same thing with the air box blockage issue in a Hyundai Santa Fe. Mechanic kept the grass, twigs and nearly a full jar of nuts to show him. He was blown away and spent two days tracking down a hole in his garage. Cheap fix and a similarly good result.