Volvo Repair: volvo s 40 idle problem, volvo s 40, car james

Question
my 2000 volvo s 40 was recently involved in a front end collision.  the car has been repaired cosmetically, frame straightened, etc.   it has developed a problem when under load of losing rpm's once it has warmed up.  it is especailly noticeable when shifting into reverse from neutral.  it drops into gear with a little more noise than previous to accident, and seems to strain a little as it loses rpm's.  any ideas?

i know it's not your strength but i am desperate.

Answer
Well it may not be getting good coolant crculation anymore.  If thats the case performance could suffer.  Airflow into the engine or radiator could be blocked.  It has to be something physical if the accident caused it.  If its just coincidental it could be alot of things.  Perhaps its missfiring and its compensating.  Its hard to say without looking at the car.  Maybe there is a code posted in the Engine control module.  That would be the best way to find out whats going on.  Whenever a cars been in an accident it seems that no amount of work can make it good as before.  You may be able to fix this problem but I'd recommend trying to trade it in for another car.

James