Ive noticed after refueling my CEL will come on a day or two after. Then 2-3 days after driving around its shuts off. This happens everytime after I refuel.

Is it maybe a gas cap issue, or something worse?

Sorry about the blank post.

The CEL light can come on if the gas cap is not tight enough or the fault that Klaus describes.

You can reset the CEL light with a scanner or do what you've been doing. That is, the CEL will automatically reset after 3 cold cycle starts.

Your situation usually happens to those who overfill. Once the filler nozel clicks off, do NOT add more gasoline. The added amount will flow to the charcoal canister, filling the vapor only line with liquid gasoline. This will cause the EVAP system to not draw a vacuum and set a code.

You really should get the code read and deleted after the CEL gets set. At least you will know what the problem is.

Also, the engine cannot be running when the gas cap is off, regardless of how cold it may get for your passengers.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Thank you. That sounds more like it.

It just seemed odd that I would get the car filled and the next day the light would come on, then 2 days after that the light would shut off.

Happens a lot. The systems keep monitoring even if an error is found. When the situation is corrected, the error is cleared. This usually take a few drive cycles for the EVAP system.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

It's probably an EVAP system leak. Next time the light is on, drop by an auto parts store and have them read the code for the check engine light.

Could be a gas cap issue, or the elbow at the charcoal canister under the rear wheel well.

Ive had EVAP leak fixed last year. The other thing i was wondering is, if the light always shuts off is it really that big of a problem? Or is the CEL comming on for no reason.

Just seems weird to me

It's definitely coming on for a reason. But then apparently the fault goes away. Get the code read and see what's causing it. It could still be an EVAP code for somewhere else in the system (do you happen to know what they fixed last time?)

I personally don't like having the check engine light on (or any dash lights) on, and I freak out if it does come on even though I know it's usually for something minor. But being stranded without warning isn't fun - if the car needs to tell you something else is wrong.