Passing Emissions.

Dreydubs · Post by **Dreydubs** » 13 Jul 2010, 23:12

Hello everyone, I have a volvo 850, year 1996, GLT. My plates have been expired sense January and I tell you this car has been such a burden to me. Don't get me wrong, volvo 850's are great but driving without plates sucks.

Lets start off with a little bit of history... When I first gave it in to inspection, I had maaany problems, both saftey and emissions. I have spent over $600 on repairs to pass emissions alone. Saftey is currently OK, and i fixed many issues with emissions.

Currently my problem is "not ready monitors". The check engine light is off.. and there are 3 monitors going off as "not ready"
- 02 sensor
- catalytic converter
- EVAP

Now .. i've gotten this far and knocked out many of my problems.. ( I had check engine light on for a while but fixed it) I've went to the auto shop and everyone keeps telling me I need to drive it more so the computers will reset.. well i've probably driven it for over 1000 miles now and those 3 monitors are still not ready and what sucks is I only need 1 more to pass to get my emissions.

~~~~ Current attempts to fix it.. (haven't worked)
- I put in 16oz high octane boost while tank was empty and filled tank with super gasoline (about 3.5 gallons)
- After that I drove 45 mph at a rpm of 1800-2200 for 5 minutes
- Drove the car for over 1000 miles trying to reset monitors

No one can help me.. the auto shops don't know what to do and the guy at the volvo dealership was clueless. He offered to set up an appointment.. but i've had enough money drained.

I've fixed so much not counting the $600 for emissions. Had to put in a whole sub-frame and many other repairs to pass inspection. I've gotten already this far and giving up now after spending more money than the car is worth is devastating.

---- I currently have 4 registration tickets and going on 5.. Someone please help Its draining me of money I don't even have.

Thank-you!

whoa · Post by **whoa** » 14 Jul 2010, 00:28

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 84&start=0

Post by **vjaneczko** » 14 Jul 2010, 08:28

I was in the same situation; had to find money to repair the car and it took 6 months after my testing day to do it. Thank God I didn't get pulled over by a cop!

I fixed my SAS and two days later took the test. I didn't do much driving in-between, maybe just ten or fifteen miles. My handheld ODBII showed no errors so I took the test. I did pass and remember seeing a few "Not Ready" entries (don’t remember the total off the top of my head) on the print-out, but I passed nonetheless. My thought was that some of the on-board systems are ignored in the state of Illinois, so “Not Ready” also means “Not Relevant”.

Can you explain “I currently have 4 registration tickets and going on 5”?

Have you tried getting tested and they sent you away because of the “Not Ready” or are you looking for "Ready" across the board before you go?

Post by **JRL** » 14 Jul 2010, 10:37

How can they ALL be clueless?
The cat and the 02 are tied together, the evap code is in your emissions somewhere.
There are procedures to follow to check these things
You can get a sticker with TWO not ready codes but not three, Two will pass on the computer so you need to decide which to fix
I would go with the evap, by far the cheapest as something is a bit off, (and get a new mechanic)

Dreydubs · Post by **Dreydubs** » 14 Jul 2010, 11:17

Well... when i mean i have 4 registration tickets I mean that I've been pulled over 4 times and gotten a ticket. Well i've been pulled over more than that but have had mercy a couple times.

I know I only need one more to pass which makes it aggravating. The lights are showing up as "not ready" not fail. So because of that they keep telling me I need to drive more so they will reset. I have taken it to emissions plenty of times.. and one time recently after the 3 "not ready monitors". It shows up as the same when I take it to emission station.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 14 Jul 2010, 11:43

JRL wrote: The cat and the 02 are tied together, the evap code is in your emissions somewhere.

Yeah, That tells me that the front & rear O2 sensors aren't working properly - did you get them swapped, and if so what kind did you get? Plenty of threads talking about Volvo's being very picky about what brand you use.

Dreydubs wrote: I have taken it to emissions plenty of times.. and one time recently after the 3 "not ready monitors". It shows up as the same when I take it to emission station.

So the testing station is looking for all monitors to be "Ready" before they will test you? Ung!

Does Missouri have an exception policy? I think Illinois does, but you have to take it to an authorized repair shop and have them work on it three separate times - or something $$ painful like that. It sounds as if you’d qualify!

Dreydubs · Post by **Dreydubs** » 15 Jul 2010, 00:45

Yes! my dad did recently put in the o2 sensor .......... can you go into detail how this could be the problem.. I need to ask him more about it, hes out of town atm. I can have 2 not ready monitors.. i currently have 3

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 15 Jul 2010, 08:08

What sort of sensors did he put in? They need to be OEM Bosch, no universal kind.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 15 Jul 2010, 08:10

Here's some other posts to read:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 14#p140554
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 372#p55876
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 02&start=0
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 34#p105470

Basically they're all saying that we have to be very careful choosing the O2 sensor we install. Check the part numbers that you have and make sure they’re for your car and that they're properly installed.

I remember installing an O2 sensor in my Miata 9 years ago, and there wasn't a wiring harness. The instructions mentioned that splicing the wires had to be done within 1/4 inch of specs in order to operate properly! That tells me they're finicky little buggers.

There’s other posts (I believe over at VS) indicating that installing special spacers can alter how much exhaust is sensed by the sensor and “allow” high flow cats to pass emissions testing.

Dreydubs · Post by **Dreydubs** » 15 Jul 2010, 09:49

Ok, I found the box and it says "NTK Oxygen Sensors" Part number 24521.

Can someone explain the different types of sensors in a car? My dad said he replaced 2 of them.