Multiple messages

jakson200369 · Post by **jakson200369** » 20 Mar 2008, 10:35

Our car rececntly gave us a few messages; emmission system service, stc, abs. Two of the messages went away, the car now only displays the emissions message. Our car has just hit the 100k mark, I know the manual says to replace the timing belt at 106k, is there any other service, such as the emissions that needs attention at this time???
I was also thinking about just buying aftermarket oxygen sensors and installing them myself, good or bad idea and why? I am almost certain that the oxygen sensors are o.e.m. so I would assume that at 100k it is a good idea to replace these.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Mar 2008, 13:17

It would be helpful to know what car you're talking about.
Not a good idea to go with after-market 02 sensors on any modern Volvo. People just have trouble with them and they throw all kinds of trouble codes. OEM Volvo 02 sensors are Bosch, so find which ones are a direct fit if you're going to replace them. That said, there are numerous reasons why 02 sensor codes are set including bad MAF sensor, leaking vacuum lines, etc. So, have those checked before replacing expensive 02's.

wilsontorres · Post by **wilsontorres** » 20 Mar 2008, 19:54

recently i have the same problem at 135k volvo s80 t6,actually i ever think that the problem will be too BIG,lot of codes its much better take the car to VOLVO dealer,belive me ,i ignore all codes and i running the car like nothing today my car is at volvo dealer 3 weeks ago and need to replecemnt :mass air flow,oxygen sensor 2 of those,solenoid and spark plug Grand Total Price 1,971.36 after taxes plus labor fee ,so take the car to the dealer is my personal advise

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Mar 2008, 20:13

I understand your frustration Wilson and sometimes I've been tempted to take my Volvo to the dealer too but this forum is (at least to me) a way to trouble shoot issues yourself so you can avoid the dealer's high costs. Plus the dealer sometimes replaces unnecessary items and allows you to pay for them (at least this has been my experience). Sometimes as a last resort, we do have to go to the dealer, and in those cases it's important to go to one that won't rip you off. From the price you quoted (close to 2 grand) I would have probably been able to trouble shoot the 02 sensors and bought them and installed them myself ($180 each, so total here of $360), plus MAF sensor ($180 also), spark plugs- Volvo' turbo plugs (about $40), and cam adjustment solenoid (I got this from your other thread...$120 for the part and the gasket). If you do the labor yourself and with the help of this forum, you've spent less about $700 (and this is a high estimate) and saved about $1300. The dealer really knows how to make money off of unsuspecting and unknowing customers.

jakson200369 · Post by **jakson200369** » 20 Mar 2008, 21:24

My car is an 2008 S80, with around 100k on it, sorry I left that part out. When reffering to aftermarket I meant buying the Bosch sensors, just not going to get them from Volvo.
I would agree about the comment on dealerships, we have a independent certified Volve mechanic in out town and he is really good. We were not impressed with the dealership mechanics or service manager any of the times we had our car there, well both times, after that we found the independent.
I did add that our car had 100k on it, would you advise that the o2 sensors could still be ok?? I heard not long ago that a lot of mechanics are recommending replacing o2 sensors more often, as they can cause a host of problems when they start going bad, this may have been in refrence to more american cars than european, but a sensor is a sensor, and I do believe Bosch does more o.e.m. o2 sensors than anyone.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Mar 2008, 21:34

I agree that Bosch is fairly standard, especially on European cars and you see them on almost all makes and models. I just see folks change these sensors out all the time (being a moderator on this forum) or have them changed out and still get the sensor code. Sometimes it's a vacuum hose leak or MAF or some other issue causing them to read wrong. So it's best to investigate and make sure it's the sensor before replacing it. That said, usually from about 100K miles is when the sensors typically do go bad, though I've heard of people with 200K miles running their originals. Slowly sliding gas mileage is one of the signs and typically this happens BEFORE the sensor codes come up.

jakson200369 · Post by **jakson200369** » 20 Mar 2008, 22:17

I see what you are saying. The last 3 o2 sensors I replaced were done after the shop diagnosed my truck and told me the front 2 were bad, they recommended replacing all 3. They told me the cost for them was $400, or I could buy the sensors myself, do the work, and bring it back to them and they would clear the codes for me. Which I did this all for under $200 cost to me.
Now I understand that nothing has been diagnosed on my car, so I do not know for sure! But we also had the throttle body problem that most have had, ours was replaced last summer, so I was thinking that it could have affected the life span of the o2 sensors.