Catalytic Converter could = "check engine" light

volvo rider · Post by **volvo rider** » 04 Jun 2006, 20:51

I'll preface this topic with this:

I recently had my 100,000 service on my 1998 V70 T5 Turbo wagon, and not even 2 weeks later the "check engine" light comes on.

I was told by a friend that foreign cars run their best when the catalytic converter is serviced and cleaned out after so many miles. His ES300 Lexus died on him in traffic and he thought his tranny had went out, but the service guy told him that his catalytic converter was clogged and had never been cleaned or repelaced..causing the car to stall when it got too hot.

then, I was also told by an O'reilly car parts tech that the "check engine" will mainly come on when the Mass aif flow sensor is bad or there is an air leak somewhere. It's the most common thing to cause the light to come on.

Today, I did a diagnostic check for free at the autozone on my 1998 V70 T5 Turbo wagon and it came back that everything was fine but I have a large emissions leak. the autozone tech told that me that if the Mass Airlfow sensor was bad his diagnostic tool would have told him that by the code it displayed, but the sensor did not show up as bad.. and that I need to check all of my airduct hoses to see if their is a leak and fix it. well, I took the car home and put it up on ramps and begin to search. I couldn't find a damamged hose air/fluid anywhere. the undercarraige was dry as a bone. Then I remembered what my friend said about the catalytic converter and that's my next move, to get it cleaned out.

Does anybody think this is true or not?

I'm running out of options and sick of the "check engine" light being on.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 05 Jun 2006, 06:01

Cat is very rarely a problem. What was the exact numerical code that Autozone gave you? When you said large emissions leak, that leads me to believe that it may be a P0455, indicating that the most likely problem is a leaky gas cap. You must replace it w/ a Volvo cap or it will not go away. If you don't want to pay some ridiculous price at the dealer, check FCP Groton out online.

Post by **pfeener** » 05 Jun 2006, 07:25

Go back to Autozone and get it read again and give us the code. There's dozens of codes and guessing just won't get it done for you. Your cat is most likely OK and I've never heard of "cleaning" the cat.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 05 Jun 2006, 12:30

The cleaning will be of your wallet

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Jun 2006, 22:39

I agree with all the posters here...CATs just don't go bad. The worst case could be one of the 02 sensors (sensor in front of and after the CAT measures how well the CAT is doing it's job...no sensor on the CAT) so one of these could have gone. Anyway, you need to have your codes read and report them back here.

Probably your gas cap...really. I've seen this time and time again. Tighten it several clicks....maybe even replace it before throwing other more expensive parts at it hoping that will fix it....still curious as to what code exactly you're getting.

volvo rider · Post by **volvo rider** » 06 Jun 2006, 17:30

gas cap, gas cap. ok I think you guys have said it enough. and now I believe you. I'm going to change the gas cap right now.

will any gas cap do the job if it fits?

I want a locking one.

Post by **pfeener** » 06 Jun 2006, 18:23

Nope, you need the "real deal". You can get it from the dealer or FCPgroton carries them for $8.50. The OEM is Stant so it's possible you could get the same thing at an autoparts store, but I wouldn't chance it.

Post by **JRL** » 06 Jun 2006, 21:21

MadeInJapan wrote:I agree with all the posters here...CATs just don't go bad. .

Actually they can and DO