Hi!  It's not so easy to access this group now that AOL doesn't offer
newsgroup access anymore.

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