2000 Volvo V70 XC--Check Engine Light!

adk793 · Post by **adk793** » 23 May 2010, 04:20

After doing a lot of driving today, both high and low speeds, my check engine light went on. Yes, the guy driving my car did some pretty hard accelerations. Anyways, i used my OBDII scan tool and it read P0422--Catalyst System Low Efficiency Bank 1. The car has only 95K miles on it. Although there can be many things that could have went bad, what is the most common failure with this code/issue. Do a need a new Cat converter, or what!

The car has been maintained decently well...recently replaced the front brakes, timing belt, water pump, cam shaft position sensor, oil sump rings, etc.......long story short its been costing me a lot. I really don't have the money for it right now but will have to pay if its that urgent.

I reset the check engine light, drove around the block a few times and it was good. But if i ignore this, can this lead to other future failures, or cause problems. Or can i keep driving and keep resetting the light.

BTW, the car runs well without any problems with the code on.
It went on right after my friend basically floored it. What could this be related to---and if it was to go back on, how long/how many miles will it take.
I love my volvo just so many problems!

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 23 May 2010, 08:21

I have essentially the same car as you, and had exactly the same problem. My car has been run probably about 80% highway in its 140,000 miles, so good conditions for the cat.

I reset my code, had it come on 200 miles later, reset again, and now I haven't seen it for over 1000 miles (knock on wood). It can be caused by something not burning right that fouls the converter temporarily. If you overdo certain fuel additives you could get a code like that because the cat isn't happy. Burning oil would be another, but I think you would know about that.

You mentioned your friend gave it a good push.... make sure all vacuum lines are where they should be. From what I've seen in the forums, there are a lot of things that could cause this to go off. But unless the car has been seriously abused in its past, there is very little chance that your cat converter is dead at less than 100K.

Post by **JRL** » 23 May 2010, 08:49

Converter, 02 sensor(s) or both
100K means nothing.
My 2000 V70 R had a new Cat and 02 sensors installed at 45K miles!

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 May 2010, 10:06

Reset the light for now, and as ecb said, see if it comes back again.

I've had things pester me for a while, and then shut up altogether after a few renditions (like the useless MAP sensor).

If it comes back persistently, you may just need a new rear O2 sensor.

adk793 · Post by **adk793** » 23 May 2010, 10:17

How would i check vacuum hoses for proper function?? Is there a diagram for the engine that would show me?

In response to the second post, off-course anything can go wrong(pre-maturely) at anytime. Im just trying to get a general sense of the likelihood of it happening.

Now if it is the Cat converter, would it damage like the O2 sensors if i let the problem be...and likewise, would bad O2 sensors do something bad to the Cat conv.

Ive done some maintenence/repairs on the car. Is this something i can do myself if i would have to change something?

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 May 2010, 10:30

This is for a '98; yours might be slightly different.

Check around with a can of carb cleaner with the engine running, spray up and down the lines. If you hear the motor rev up, you've found a leak.

No, you won't kill the O2 sensors, unless your car is running overly rich. Really, all your rear one does is monitor the efficiency of the converter. A bad front O2 sensor (which you don't have a code for) could both make your car run terribly, and the rich mixture COULD destroy the converter.

Replacing O2 sensors is not a hard task - the hardest part is undoing the connectors on them.

adk793 · Post by **adk793** » 23 May 2010, 10:46

ok, hearing that its most likely the O2 sensor is a big relief. Seeing the diagram, which specific hoses/connections am i looking for?

Also, is it just me or does something always have to go wrong with volvo. This is the second 70 series i drive and i havent been able to go 2-3 whole months without doing some kind of non-preventative maintenance repair. I love the car but just feel theyre not as reliable as some other cars out there.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 23 May 2010, 12:10

Depends on what you mean by reliable.

My 2000 V70XC has never left me or anyone who has driven it stranded, but I agree, a lot of stuff does go wrong. The nice thing though is that it's not usually that expensive to fix if you do the work yourself!

As I'm learning more about cars and Volvos specifically, I actually don't mind having a car that wants to break every couple months or so. I always look forward to my next repair job I get to do, because of the pure excitement I get when I'm done and it fires to life.

But I know some people don't have the time or means to do major repairs on their own time. Unfortunately, that's when costs really start piling up...

Post by **matthew1** » 23 May 2010, 13:02

Probably a small vacuum leak caused by a popped-off hose somewhere. Here's my recent experience with a PO422 code.

Post by **matthew1** » 23 May 2010, 13:04

adk793 wrote:I love the car but just feel theyre not as reliable as some other cars out there.

That's because it's not

. But it makes up for it with safety, fun, character and comfort. That's why we drive them.