S60 Needs New Catalytic Converter, Can't Find Parts Supplier

Blue Colnago · Post by **Blue Colnago** » 27 Jul 2007, 12:04

I've been told my 2001 s60 2.4L (non turbo) needs a new cat converter. I've lost faith in the honesty of the dealers service department for a number of reasons. I took the car to a foriegn car specialist and was diagnosed with the same cat converter problem. Both places gave me a quote of $ 1,900. Yikes !

$1000 of that price is is the cost of the cat converter as parts. I'm hoping to purchase one myself, and avoid the service centers markup, However I'm unable to find a parts supplier with the item in stock.

- Thanks, Jack B.

PS. My wife's s40 also needs a cat converter. Both cars are now in the 85K range of mileage. Neither smells of rotten eggs. Is this just coincidence that both cars need the same thing, both cars getting regular service from the dealer? is is possible to adjust or sabotage one so that it needs replacement in the future?

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 27 Jul 2007, 19:31

The is a new scam with catalytic converters. The mechanics will sell the old ones for the platinum inside. I suspect a lot will be unnecessarily replaced. At 85K, no way. Change garage. not converter.

Blue Colnago · Post by **Blue Colnago** » 29 Jul 2007, 13:50

Hi Sony 2000, Thanks for the suggestion.

However, I've allready done that ( try another garage ). This is a $1,000 part, which I simply cannot afford. I just had major back surgery, and lost my job in the interim.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jul 2007, 16:25

Blue Colnago wrote: QUESTION : ANYBODY KNOW IF I COULD USE A UNIVERSAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER? These keep appearing on my searches and run $50 - $150. Thats the right price for me.

Thanks,
Jack

You can with earlier cars (850's, S/V70's). Don't know about yours...not sure how much the computer would interfere. Good question to ask on the forum over on VolvoSpeed.com

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 29 Jul 2007, 18:16

Correct me if I'm wrong, but its purpoese is to complete the burn of the exhaust gasses and it has an oxygen sensor there as well. They tend to block the flow of exhaust when they need to be changed. Older GM models had small balls inside, that could be drained through a hole. If earlier Volvos accepted the universel catalytic converter there is a good chance your 2 Volvos will. Do you reuse your old oxygen sensor?