Fine mess I got into...

Volvolicious · Post by **Volvolicious** » 04 Jan 2020, 16:12

Hello All,

First post and already need help. Last Saturday I got myself a V70. I've always liked these cars and finally managed to get a low mileage (87K) 2000 V70 for $2500. I thought I was hot shit!

Fast forward to today when I take it for an inspection and they tell me that the catalytic converter was taken out and the O2 sensor plug cut off. There's a sheared off stud on the exhaust manifold and a second one on the way out. I was dumbfounded given that the scanner didn't show a single code and the engine light was not on. They told me they must have either bypassed the light at the dash or tampered with the electronics to keep the check engine light from turning on.

Given the condition the car is in I'm willing to put in the money for the cat and the O2 sensor. I'm handy so I can do my own work which would save me a lot of the labor $$$. However, I'm concerned that even after I put in a cat and O2 sensor the car may not pass inspection due to the check engine light being by passed.

Anybody with experience on sh!t like this? I'm not likely to get any of my money back from the seller since it was done through a used car dealership by means of a private seller...real shady stuff. So I want to know if I should invest money into fixing this car (which I do like) or just lick my wounds and move on?

Post by **misha** » 04 Jan 2020, 17:20

Ouch!
Which o2 sensor plug was cut-off?
Front or rear?
If it was rear one(after the cat) it can run without it and check engine light will not turn on for a week or so untill car completes it's driving cycle and finally set a code.

Is check engine light on,along all other warning lights,with key in position II?

Volvolicious · Post by **Volvolicious** » 04 Jan 2020, 17:25

That's the thing, the check engine light is not turning on in key position II. That should have been a red flag but I mistakenly thought the oil pressure light was the check engine light. I just noticed too that the ABS light is not turning on. So I have another gremlin in the mix.

Post by **misha** » 04 Jan 2020, 17:29

The easiest way is to read the codes from instrument cluster to see if the bulbs are burnt...or to remove the cluster phisically to check them out.
Removing instrument cluster is a 30min job.

You will need a Vida Dice or dealership to read the codes from the car,except for Ecu dtc.

With generic code reader you will only have access to ecu.
For abs and cluster(and all other modules in the car) you will need a special Volvo tool like Vida Dice at least.

Volvolicious · Post by **Volvolicious** » 04 Jan 2020, 17:32

Is there a tutorial around here showing how to remove the cluster?

Post by **misha** » 04 Jan 2020, 17:38

Yes....it's in repair database,youtube videos.
Here it is:

Just make sure that you disconnect battery negative terminal before you start the job because of SRS...and do not re-connect battery before you plug back SRS connectors.

Post by **scot850** » 04 Jan 2020, 18:28

And if the car still has it's original radio, check if you have the code for it. It can be got if you don't have it. If you have the original handbook, some dealers mark the code in the back or on a business card stapled into it. I no longer worry about someone trying to steal a 20 year old radio, so I write the code on the top in black marker.

If you have only these issue, you have got the potential for a great car.

Good luck and welcome to the MVS fold!

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jan 2020, 10:47

Check those state laws before you get vested in this. I think this is well into the realm of emissions systems tampering and you might be able to get out of this thing and get your money back.

The EPA fines these guys will face will make them blanch quickly.

Volvolicious · Post by **Volvolicious** » 07 Jan 2020, 03:39

That’s a very good point.

Volvolicious · Post by **Volvolicious** » 12 Jan 2020, 17:34

So I decided to dive into this and fix it. Ordered the Cat and the exhaust manifold from Rockauto. The cat appears to be a good match; however, the manifold is not a match. The flange on the bolted connection into the cat is smaller. My bolt pattern is more of a rectangle and this one is more of square. I’ve been looking around but can’t find one that looks like mine. I don’t have a threaded boss for the O2 sensor on the #5 cylinder (driver side) either. Both my O2 sensors are on the Cat.

By the way, I’m looking for the exhaust manifold because one stud at the manifold/cat connection is sheared off and there is a 2nd stud with only a couple threads engaging the nut.

Anybody know where I can find a manifold that fits?