V70 Emission related questions--OBDII Please Help

[BBslider001]

I didn't think a public forum is a place for personal reasons, but ok. One 4-year old and one baby on the way, grad school, full time work, etc... It leaves me very little time to work on anything not to mention my 20 year old truck I already keep in great shape that requires my attention. So yes, I would like at least one car that doesn't require more of my time that is already taxed to the max. Sometimes cutting your losses is best, and this situation may be one of them.

I am going to take it to the emissions place this morning. I did some research and found out that there is a "provision" for this particular year/model of Volvo where the OBD does not have to be set and they can tailpipe test it anyways. If this is true and I can get it passed, then I won't be under the gun to spend time going through the car to fix everything right this minute. I can take some time this summer when classes are on hold.

Just a little background for those who doubt. I wrench on all of my own stuff and always have. I have done it all from rebuilding my own engines, trannies, done frame off restos, and the like. No, I am not familiar with newer Volvos and their idiosyncrasies. Emissions and sensor bullsh** drives me out of my f***ing mind and yes I got to where I just wanted to get rid of it after already fixing the PO's previous hack jobs. Had I known I may have to dive into the PVC system so soon, I may have passed on the car, but it drove great and still does. I was told, by a local Volvo mechanic, that the OBDII system would reset itself within 500 miles of driving. Well it's been 1500 miles, 2 months, 3 different tries through drive cycles, and fixing two of three codes I have been getting. So frustrated? You bet your a$$.

Thank you guys for the input though. It has helped and hopefully I can get something resolved soon. Everything I have read thus far through info and videos say that the PVC system and evap system is a 5-9 hour job, not 2. Just the purge valve alone is $100 and there are other parts that can quickly make this a $500 venture with no guarantees....just from what I have read on this forum. Hopefully this long explanation makes this a little more clear for those in the dark about why I might want to cut my losses.

[scot850]

I can fully understand your frustrations and wish I was closer to help you out. Good luck with the emissions test and if you have the time let us know what happens.

Neil.

[abscate]

BB...we get pretty personal here because it's a pretty safe place. As a mod, I can tell you the mod load is extremely light because this is an extremely civil place.

People are passionate about Volvos here and hate to see them thrown away, especially when someone like you, who can wrench are the best people to keep them going.

Don't count on local mechanics to give you too much help on a P80 ( pre 1999). The drive cycle can reset in as little as 50 miles, but if it's taking longer, something, usually the EVAP, is not passing. If the local doesn't know this, s/he doesn't know the car too well. My 1999 will drive between 700-2500 miles, EVAP will reset half the time and other half set aP0455.

You can smog your car with the EVAP monitor not set according to EPA and if CA follows the EPA rules. As of 2014 this applied, but note warning

California smog check regulations allow for one (1) incomplete or not ready monitor, on all 2001 and new model year vehicles. All emission monitors, accept one (1) must be "complete' or "ready" in order to pass the smog check if your vehicle is 2001 model year or newer.

2000 model year and older vehicles are allowed two (2) monitors.

The State of California is considering requiring all monitors be "ready" or "complete" in the near future.

A P80 in good maintenance is a tank that is a great ride for you, Mom, kids, or any age. Mine has served me from toddler to college. Think about how many miles you will drive it. It is still a 18 year old car and will need love. Throwing parts at problems will bankrupt you. The parts on this car are high quality and expensive which is why they don't break. You have to find the part that is broken, then replace,not hunt and guess.

The folks like jimmy, Lee, Niel Robert Mike ( many more) astound me with how much both know about these cars both from a reference standpoint and the practical " what you get away with".

[sleddriver]

Hey all. I know this has been discussed to death, but I guess I am looking for the most recent input. I am having a heck of a time getting my OBDII to reset since the PO changed the battery right before I bought it. I have tried the drive cycle (2 different ones) all to no avail. I also get the P0442 Evap Emissions code once in awhile. I have read it usually the "J" hose? I have been unable to locate the part. Any suggestions?

I also own a 98 V70. I'm the original owner since 1998. It has been a good vehicle, but has lots of quirks and frustrating aspects to it. I also turn my own wrench, do my own research and being an engineer, am pretty good at figuring things out.

Re: OBDII Reset. Here in Tx., I can still get my car inspected despite all the "flags not being cleared". There is a provision in federal law for certain cars and the 98 Volvo is in it. They go to plug the "inspector" into the OBDII port and certain flags are shown as "not ready", thus they do a tail-pipe sniff test which it always passes.

For years I struggled with the dreaded PO455 EVAP code.....royal PITA. I finally gave up. When inspection time came around, I'd drive to my indys shop, use his Volvo AutoDiagnos tester to clear the codes, then immediately go get it tested. Turns out I also just could have disconnected the neg. battery cable for 15?, 30?, 60? minutes and done the same thing. I did finally extinguish 455....

In Calif., no telling what the inspection rules are. No doubt the most stringent in the universe. Having a new-to-you 18yr old Volvo with an emissions leak/fault/problem/issue can be very frustrating/expensive for a new owner to deal with, particularly as busy as you are and when you want your new vehicle to be a daily driver.

Though the infamous J-hose is often sighted, mine is original, is in good shape, and never was the cause of any EVAP problem. Odd given the consensus, but there it is.

Experience has taught me that the BEST way to deal with any EVAP leak on an older Volvo is to fill the system with smoke and see where it leaks out. You can build youself one, it'll save you a HUGE amount of TIME and FRUSTRATION and you'll be able to find all of them. I built mine out of a metal paint can, an old aquarium pump, some tubing and used firework punks as a smoke source. I wish I'd done it sooner...would have saved me years of aggravation, frustration, cussing, wasted time, and gas...when it was $3.80/ga in Tx. due to vacuum leaks that affected MPG.

There is a PDF doc on the 850, sort of like a complete service manual. Many, many things are the same between a 97 850 and a 98 V/S 70. You can also read back through my own posts here and elsewhere about slaying the EVAP dragon.

[abscate]

It's actually all cars under the EPA guideline, but states may or may not choose to follow that guideline. CA does, or at least did until 2014.

OP has to get car " smog tested, which is different than what most here call inspection, but let's not hash that here.

Unless last owner took stuff off the car, a well running P80 can clear codes, let EVAP and one other monitor be not ready, and pass smog with those two showing NOT READY

I do this every other year in NY

[BBslider001]

Sorry to have come off defensive. I have pretty thick skin, when I know the person, but for someone to come off at me wondering what the heck my problem kinda sets me off. That being said, thanks you guys for your help here. It has been great.

So, the good news is that I just found out about the provisions yesterday, after 2 months of searching no less!! Every time I would search out OBD issues on this car, I would only come up with the drive cycles. I FINALLY found out that this car has a provision and yes, CA does recognize it. Most emissions testing places don't know off the top of their heads, so unless you tell them to look in the book, they have no idea. This was the case with me the first two times I took the car in, but this time I finally had the knowledge to have him look in the book and found out that he could test my car in spite of the OBD not being ready. It passed, and did so with really good numbers! I am stoked. I am going to keep the car now that I have the time at my own leisure to replace the EVAP system and get it dialed in.

Ready to learn more for sure! Everything else on the car is good it seems, so I'll just keep keep going forward.

Now to sheepishly remove it from the classifieds...yikes

[Sommerfeldt]

Great news, dude. I didn't mean to snarl at you - over the last six months or so, I've seen several instances right here of people with minor issues (broken radiator hose, for one ) who were ready to scrap their Volvos. Over tiny, tiny issues! Makes my trigger finger itch.

I hope you'll be back with updates on the car, and if you have questions, there's always droves of answers to be had right here at MVS. It's been my go-to site since my first 850.

- S

[abscate]

Sorry to have come off defensive. I have pretty thick skin, when I know the person, but for someone to come off at me wondering what the heck my problem kinda sets me off. That being said, thanks you guys for your help here. It has been great.

So, the good news is that I just found out about the provisions yesterday, after 2 months of searching no less!! Every time I would search out OBD issues on this car, I would only come up with the drive cycles. I FINALLY found out that this car has a provision and yes, CA does recognize it. Most emissions testing places don't know off the top of their heads, so unless you tell them to look in the book, they have no idea. This was the case with me the first two times I took the car in, but this time I finally had the knowledge to have him look in the book and found out that he could test my car in spite of the OBD not being ready. It passed, and did so with really good numbers! I am stoked. I am going to keep the car now that I have the time at my own leisure to replace the EVAP system and get it dialed in.

Ready to learn more for sure! Everything else on the car is good it seems, so I'll just keep keep going forward.

Now to sheepishly remove it from the classifieds...yikes

I found this site 3 years ago just as we took our 1999 off the daily driver list. Mom wouldn't let the new teen drivers near it as it had bad ETM, ABS, electrical problems, worn out suspension and the AC crapped out. Over a year I fixed everything with about 2k in parts and a lot of labour during conference calls. I'm just crossing 50k miles since the "refurbish" decision so I'm ways ahead. I could not have done it without MVS. Huge body of experience here as well as guidance in parts and procedures

[BBslider001]

You guys have been a great help! Somm, sledddriver, neil, and others, thanks a heck of a lot for your input. I feel like I'll actually be able to tackle this deal head on as the summer sets in and my time frees up a little bit. I'll let you know if I hit any more snags. I know it's a good car and it drives pretty darn nice. No complaints.

[sleddriver]

So, the good news is that I just found out about the provisions yesterday, after 2 months of searching no less!! Every time I would search out OBD issues on this car, I would only come up with the drive cycles. I FINALLY found out that this car has a provision and yes, CA does recognize it. Most emissions testing places don't know off the top of their heads, so unless you tell them to look in the book, they have no idea.

Sounds like that sure was a relief! Congratulations!

The dudes testing your car must be young & unfamiliar with older cars. One would think they would be informed regarding emissions testing rules when their job is to.....test emissions. Go figure.....

I keep a copy of the document excluding the sled just in case.

Welcome to the world of old Volvo eccentricities!