There's a really nice 1999 V70 for sale, with a stick! Those are so rare! I want it!

BUT.

The owner says, "The car starts and idles however if you give it gas the engine will bog down and stall."

So far, "I already replaced the Air flow sensor, and cleaned the ETM. As well as a new fuel filter."

But it's still doing it. So he thinks, "The regulator would be the last on the list to replace."

I'm not convinced. I've been reading the boards tonight, looking for some clues, but all I've found was a thread talking about a bad regulator making the engine run faster, not stall.

I've asked him if he's read the codes, and I'm waiting a response for that.

So: Would a bad regulator cause this symptom? And what else could it be?

There is no code for fuel pressure regulator on this year. If there is a vacuum leak or air leak of any sort to the intake manifold or throttle body, the fuel:air ratio will be rich and the spark plugs could be fouled.

The ETM could be a problem if is still a white labeled version, but that generates codes.

Don't expect the seller to diagnose the problem, that is your job.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Thanks, Klaus.

To sum:

1: air leaks skew the fuel mixture leading to fouled plugs, which can cause this kind of stall.

2: White labelled ETM are notorious failures and that failure can cause this kind of stall.

Anything else?

The car is over 100 miles from me, and I am gathering info as to whether it's worth my investing in. The last thing I want is to buy this car and not figure out what's broken.

I saw another thread where you mention vacuum line leaks going to the fuel pressure regulator. Would that also cause this kind of stalling? Perhaps the plugs are fine (the seller said he had a tune up when the other things were changed), and the ETM is fine, too, so perhaps the pressure regulator is damaged or it's vacuum line is leaking?

I also read that the fuel pressure regulator has wandered all over this model over the years. I think my mid-'90s had it right under the fuel rail. Is there a specific place for it on the 1999?

Thank you, Klaus, I am many other greatly appreciate your knowledge and your willingness to share it.

The FPR has been moved to the subframe behind the engine block. You will see what looks like 2 fuel lines, follow them down back to the FPR. One of those lines is actually a vacuum line that connects to the front of the intake manifold.

A failure in the FPR will result in very long crank times in a cold engine, and a cloud of black smoke out of the exhaust (briefly) as the engine starts. It does not affect driving speeds. The dead (leaking back to the tank) FPR should only cause a too rich condition as that causes the fuel pressure to rise to about 44psi, similar to 3,000+ rpm.

A 'tune up' on the 1999 is nothing but 5 spark plugs.

A leaking air intake hose, a very dirty throttle body, garbage spark plugs, could all have the same symptoms. But, the car is not drivable in its current condition. And you do not know how worn the clutch is...
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

"A leaking air intake hose, a very dirty throttle body, garbage spark plugs, could all have the same symptoms."

So maybe the FPR is not the culprit anyway? If it starts fine with no cloud of smoke, and has 30-40psi at the rail, then the FPR can be considered as working fine.

The owner claims to have cleaned the ETM…

Maybe I should let this one go… But I've wanted a stick since I gave up on the 240s...

www.xemodex.com will rebuild the ETM for around $500, no software required. Ding the seller for that amount and see what he says. I would also question the AMM/MAF.

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Sounds like a plan. It seems clear that the pressure regulator wouldn't cause the symptoms the car has, so that's not it. I would pin in on the ETM, since he cleaned it, which doesn't mean it's working. If the plugs are clean, then it's not an air leak (altering the fuel:air mix). And since the ETM is a known culprit that's the likely character.

And I think I've got this right, the computer has to be reprogrammed if a the ETM is replaced with a new one, but rebuilding the old one doesn't need the reprogramming.

Ugh. With each model the designers seem to find something else that work's great, to screw up...

I looked on my 1998 850 turbo parts car (after I drove if off the road in a heavy rainstorm - I sure wish people didn't drive with their brights on al the time) And I saw it, right above the bellows on the steering rack. A small diaphragm housing with something like 5 connections to it, one being an obvious vacuum line.

As to the clutch, yeah, good point. But with all the new parts and fairly fresh tires that come with it, I am sorely tempted.

The question I really need answered is: What else causes it to stall from idle?

The guy says he cleaned the ETM, but that could still be defective anyway.

So, if it isn't the ETM and the pressure regulator is fine, what else could it be?

If I can take the pressure regulator off my parts car and stick it on that other one, then voila! Maybe?

Thanks again, Klaus!

Klaus is right. Check the ETM sticker. Should be yellow not white. That is where I'd start. ETM failure is very common on 1999-2001 V70's.

Also check the air hose to the throttle body. Had to replace that on my 850.

If i have this right, the ETM is a new part on the 1999V70, it didn't exist on the 850s?

Yes, electronic throttle modules didn't exist on 850's. They were mechanical throttles. The 98 V70's also had mechanical throttles.