$6500 for repairs?

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 19 Mar 2019, 19:47

Hello everyone. I have a 2011 XC90 R-Design. 123,000 miles. Inline 6. Never a problem until March 14 when the car started shaking at idle and acceleration. On March 15 a European specialty shop told me I needed to replace all spark plugs and coils, so I had them do that ($1400 USD.) On March 18 the “check engine” light came on. I figured it had something to do with the repair from 3 days before. I took the XC90 back to the same shop and they told me it coded P0420 (catalyst efficiency trouble) and that bank 1 is at 60% and bank 2 is at 45%. They recommend that I replace both catalysts, upstream & downstream oxygen sensors, and mounting gaskets at $6400 USD. That seems extreme. The engine is running just fine. Could this be something other than catalyst issues? Any ideas or alternative solutions are welcome. There’s no way I’m spending $6500.

Post by **joejoethedogfaceboy** » 19 Mar 2019, 19:53

You don’t say how many miles on the car and what type of driving it normally gets.

Was the check engine light on prior to the plug service and were there any codes then?

-Joe

(Btw I’m skeptical of the needed service too, for no other reason than i have original exhaust and cat on my 99 S70 and can’t believe that they would fail that soon for you)

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 19 Mar 2019, 19:59

Get a different shop. Volvo Mechanic Database. That shop is doing shotgun repairs not precision diagnostics (Blast everything, hope that you get it).

There are many things that can cause P0420. Expensive Catalytic converters and O2 sensor should be items or last resort not the first items on the list.

The P0420 could be an artifact from the previous misfire. Clear the codes and see if it comes back.

Possible sources

1. Misfiring
2. Leakage in the intake system
3. Leakage in the exhaust system
4. Faulty fuel pressure
5. Uneven compression
6. Damaged catalytic converter.

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 19 Mar 2019, 20:06

This is helpful. There was no CEL on before the plug work was done on Friday (just the car shaking.) It has 123,000 miles on it and seems to be running just fine. I have a hard time believing yesterday’s CEL is unrelated to the repair work done on Friday. I’ll get a new shop, Rick.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 19 Mar 2019, 20:17

At 123k coils failure not unheard of. Plugs should have been replaced at least once. Other than that your shop seems to like to throw parts and codes. If you did not have the Cat codes before than I would look into their work. An air leak could cause those codes as mentioned by Rick and their work may have disturbed plumbing causing the air leak. The percentage figures they throw at you mean nothing - if the O2 sensors are bad the cats could be fine. At your miles O2 sensors could be starting to fail. Any ideas how your plugs looked? Were they oily or just 123k old? That will hint for your cats.

I would find a new shop. Part of me says to work with the current shop, but I fear you are wasting your time as they appear incompetent. What were the original codes for the first fix? You could have had one bad coil and walked away with new plugs and new coils all around. Which with your miles may not have been that bad - at least the plugs.

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 19 Mar 2019, 20:32

That’s what I thought about the percentage figures too. I don’t know if the plugs were oily. The codes on Friday were ECM-PO30300: Cylinder #3 misfire, ECM-P227200:B2S2 O2 sensor stuck lean, and ECM-P261086 internal engine off timer performance. I’m hoping the CEL won’t come on again, now that it has been reset and the problem was related to the work they did on Friday. I’ll find a new shop for sure.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 19 Mar 2019, 20:45

It was misfiring on one cylinder only (#3) and they replaced all the coils.

Post by **cn90** » 19 Mar 2019, 22:29

Stay away from that shop, they ripped you off BIG time.

For the 6-cyl engine, even 6 spark plugs and 6 coils do NOT cost more than $300!
For example (rmeuropean.com):
- Volvo Ignition Coil $70/each.
- Bremi Ignition Coil $36/each.

You need to find an independent and honest shop that knows something about Volvo.

Post by **oragex** » 19 Mar 2019, 22:34

You just had a first experience with a shark shop. you may name them here or go on local.google.com and leave a nice review to make aware their future customers. as mentioned, you need to see another place, and yes, the coils or spark plugs they've installed may have cause the check engine light. by the way, $1400 is pretty shocking for that job. for new coils/plugs if needed use the site fcpeuro.com and purchase bosch coils (no need to go with Volvo ones) and Volvo spark plugs.

You will benefit from visiting our forum frequently with any question prior to future repairs, be welcome

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 19 Mar 2019, 23:06

Six Genuine Volvo Coil packs and Six Genuine Volvo spark plugs at FCP Euro $430.68 and they come with a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee. I would say 1 hour of labor (The Minimum charge at most shops).

I bet we could of walked Andy through the misfire for ~ $130.00 worth of Genuine Volvo parts, some what less for OEM parts. ~ 1/10 of what he got taken for.