DIY ETM Clean
 

I've been having a few idling issues with my V70, you know, revs dropping to 500 and jerky throttle response so I asked at the dealers about whether my car had the software update but no-one could find out. They did say that they could do the standard clean out and software download for £77 as it no longer free from Volvo but I thought I'll have a go at cleaning it myself first.

I disconected the inlet hose and cleaned out the throttle body and butterfly with some Muc-Off Dirty Wipes that I have in the shed (a bit like wet wipes but with a solvent). It didn't look too dirty in there, just a smear of black greasey stuff around the edge, but what a transformation.

I now have smooth pick up and a rock solid idle of 900rpm regardless of temperature and a spare £77 in my wallet too. I'd recommend anyone to try it before going to the dealers. I can't believe that a smear of dirty oil in the wrong place can upset the engine so much.

Obviously this won't fix the contact when they wear out but for the time being it's great.

Dirty ETM
 

[QUOTE=testrider;

I now have smooth pick up and a rock solid idle of 900rpm regardless of temperature and a spare £77 in my wallet too. I'd recommend anyone to try it before going to the dealers. I can't believe that a smear of dirty oil in the wrong place can upset the engine so much.[/QUOTE]

As I understand it the computer on the ETM has internal tables that compare the throttle angle with air flow based on a perfect cylinder. With contaminate buildup on he bore and throttle plate, at low speed and idle the bore is no longer a cylinder, so the internal tables no longer fit and the computer is hunting for the proper value.
Since you can remove and replace the ETM keep in mind the new non-contacting by XeMODeX unit, it works. See XeMODeX.com

DonWillson
VEXEDvolvo.org