I live in the Chicago area and drive a 1993 240 wagon. Back in> > November, on my way home from Wisconsin, my "Check Engine" light came> > on. The car seemed to be running just fine, but I pulled over and> > called my mechanic back home, and he said there probably wasn't> > anything to worry about, just bring the car in when I got home, which I> > did. They gave it a quick look-see and didn't find anything wrong with> > it. I didn't have time for more than that at the time, and -- one> > thing leads to another -- haven't been back since for a more thorough> > check or to have the "Check Engine" light turned off. During that> > time, the car has seemed to run fine, though possibly slightly rougher> > idle than usual, and has, once or twice, stalled out during idle on the> > initial start-up in the morning.> >

However, the gas mileage has been TERRIBLE. For example, I completely> > filled the tank on Friday. Saturday and Sunday I drove no more than 4> > miles, total. My total commute to work, round trip, is 3 miles. With> > a couple of short side trips, that makes my total miles driven from the> > time I filled my tank on Friday until today approximately 25 miles (to> > be generous). My gas tank is now half empty (or half full, if you're> > an optimist). Now no Volvo 240 wagon is going to get spectacular> > mileage, but 50 miles to the TANK seems a bit ridiculous. I wasn't> > having this kind of mileage before the "Check Engine" light came on.> >

So I'm finally getting ready to take the car back to the mechanics.> > Based on what I've told you, does this problem sound at all familiar?> > Anything special I should ask the mechanic to do/look for? Any> > suggestions would be appreciated.> >

Thanks much,> > Patricia> >