Cat Converter '03 XC70 Help!

kbrittain · Post by **kbrittain** » 16 Jan 2008, 09:47

Hi gang, here's the situation...my converter went bad several months ago and to avoid the $1800 procedure at the local dealership, I had a friend put in an aftermarket converter and 02sensors. Well as I'm sure alot of you know...the engine light continues to stay on. The local guy who did the work can cut it off, but it comes right back on in a few weeks or so. Of course the dealership is telling me that my only option is to replace it with volvo parts in order to get the light to cut off. My friend is willing to give the money back for the aftermarket converter and order certified volvo parts to replace it with. The parts I need amount to around $1500. Does anyone know if I have any other options here? I've found some converters online (for the XC-70) for around $400 that will work, but I dont want to take the chance of installing and still having the engine light problem. $2000 to make the engine light go off is ridiculous...especailly when planning on selling the car to get an '08. My car has 105k miles on it by the way. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Kirk

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 16 Jan 2008, 17:47

Kirk, along with the aftermarket converter, I assume the sensors are aftermarket as well. The exhaust gas might not be at its optimal burn. It may have faulted the first converter and now is not pleasing the new system. There has been on the after market for a while, sensors with a wider range. You may have one of the reasons for their development. I would keep resetting the code every "three weeks or more", use a high octane gas from a different garage, switch to a spark plug that will give a leaner burn and check out the 07's on special before the 08's (with your trade in).

Post by **JRL** » 16 Jan 2008, 20:08

If you use genuine VOLVO 02 sensors I'll bet it will be just fine

kbrittain · Post by **kbrittain** » 17 Jan 2008, 05:48

Thanks for the input, guys. Do you know how to go about finding the sensors that have a wider range? I guess my local muffler guy will know about them. Also, I do burn a few tanks of regualr here and there...I travel alot for work and gas prices are killing me...so I'm guilting of buying cheap gas.....would that be the reason the sensors are not pleased? The computer always says it's running lean...

Kirk

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 17 Jan 2008, 06:36

JRL has spoken. In Volvos, high octane gas gives a bigger bang per drop. A bigger bang will get you more mpg. Thus, we can pay more for high test. Wider range sensors have not yet come to Volvo. Hotter or colder spark plugs may help. I think its colder. But, are you using Volvo plugs?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Jan 2008, 15:27

Your sensors are the wrong ones....JRL is right. I've never heard of someone successfully running even these wide-band sensors in their cars. No matter what the cat converter set-up, change the sensors out to OEM Volvo and like he said I bet your problem will go away. Of course, right plugs gapped correctly will help too but first, the sensors.