Time to fix my v70 xc. P0420 smells rich too

Bill-grim · Post by **Bill-grim** » 30 Jul 2016, 11:05

Hey guys

Newly posting but have lurked for a bit. I've had this issue for a while now but haven't really tried to fix yet. My 02 v70 xc turbo with 160k on it has the P0420 code. I've search the site and found this code pop up a lot but it always seems to be with vehicles different than mine.

Anyway, so I have that code and also, the car smells rich or has that exhaust kinda smell. Could this actually be the cat? Or could it just be the o2 sensors being faulty and making the car run that way.

Car has power and runs ok except for that exhaust smell and the code.

Thanks all. I really want to get this fixed.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Jul 2016, 17:48

For the exhaust gases smell thing, maybe the flexible (down pipe) is leaking or the flange between the catalytic converter and the front silencer has gave up.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jul 2016, 19:11

P0455 is an Evap system leak code. Could be causing the smell but would have to be really big leak

Welcome to MVS!!

Bill-grim · Post by **Bill-grim** » 31 Jul 2016, 15:43

Where do you think I should start here? I saw that some people run a gallon of laqeur thinner in the tank to clean the o2 sensors and cat converter. I have no idea how old the cat is but it "looks" ok. I can bang on it and not hear any deteriorating debris or anything like that.

Bill-grim · Post by **Bill-grim** » 31 Jul 2016, 15:57

Ok my mistake. That P0445 code is actually on another car I have. A Subaru.

The code I'm having with the Volvo is P0420.

I'll see if I can change the title of this post.

Post by **abscate** » 31 Jul 2016, 16:53

That the cat efficiency code which is usually the sensor and not the cat. Dont go pouring crap into your tank. Is PA inspection coming up?

Bill-grim · Post by **Bill-grim** » 31 Jul 2016, 17:35

No. I actually just got it inspected. So I'm good there.

So, for the hell of it I wanted to see if it really is running lean and pulled the plugs. The tubes are full of oil and there's pools of oil laying on top of the head. Checked oil cap and seal is hard as a rock so I just ordered a new one. Plugs look good by the way so she isnt running too rich or too lean. So I'm good there.

So I'm pretty much just stuck on that p0420 code. So I should be looking at replacing the o2 sensor then? Front one I assume?

Thanks

Post by **matthew1** » 04 Aug 2016, 21:29

Fuel economy suffering?

Post by **vtl** » 05 Aug 2016, 06:30

Bill-grim wrote:So I'm pretty much just stuck on that p0420 code. So I should be looking at replacing the o2 sensor then? Front one I assume

Yes. Your car needed it long ago, at about 100k. This is the mileage when they become inefficient. Front O2S died in my wife's old 02 V70 at 148k few month ago.

Do you actually have CEL? I'm not sure rear O2S lights it up. Front one does it for sure.

Bill-grim · Post by **Bill-grim** » 05 Aug 2016, 07:13

So I noticed the turbo is leaking some oil. And Because of it, the exhaust smoke is slightly blue. Maybe that's why I'm getting the code. Some oil going through the exhaust causing the o2 to fail? Ugh.