740 Turbo Wagon 1992 Catalytic Converter overpowering Turbo

AthenaJade · Post by **AthenaJade** » 24 Apr 2009, 18:21

Well here's the deal, my check engine light came on last week, I was supposed to get it checked by my mechanic on Sunday, but things came up. So, when I went into get my oil changed I asked them to check it for me. First the guy irritated me by asking me..."what it's been on for like a month?" then looked at me funny when I said no just since last week. Anyways, he checked it and said that the cat is overpowering the turbo and if I don't get it fixed the engine will go kablooie

He said that there's one way to fix it that will cost $250 then if that doesn't work they'll have to do something else that will cost another $600, but they'll put the $250 onto that so, in reality to fix it, it would be $575, but then on top of that something about California regulations (I live in Arizona) making it so, they'd have to tack on another $400, for something, I have no clue what, making it $975. I didn't get anything done yet because, my boyfriend called our mechanic, who will do the work for free, (well mostly free I make he and his wife food, and babysit their kids sometimes ha! I have the cheapest mechanic ever! Yes, he is a legit mechanic, he has been working in shops for the last 20 years), and he's going to take a look at it on Sunday. My question is, where can I figure out what actually needs to be done, so I can find out the parts I need to get, because I know the shop I went to for the oil change jacked it up for labor and what not, I just want to know what the part is and the cost, because it is driving me nuts not knowing how much the shop is possibly trying to screw me over. Anyways if anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

MasterBlaster · Post by **MasterBlaster** » 25 Apr 2009, 00:20

Well here's the deal, my check engine light came on last week

No problem (yet)... your car has a built-in way to help you figure out what's wrong with it.

Anyways, he checked it and said that the cat is overpowering the turbo and if I don't get it fixed the engine will go kablooie

Please don't go there anymore. The guy is an idiot, and has no idea what he's talking about.

My question is, where can I figure out what actually needs to be done, so I can find out the parts I need to get..........I just want to know what the part is and the cost, because it is driving me nuts not knowing how much the shop is possibly trying to screw me over.

For every penny they can.

Read the answer on this page:
http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1g/bl661g.htm
It's for a different problem, but it explains fairly clearly how to read your error codes. Even if your particular code isn't listed there, at least it will give us somewhere to start. The "diagnostic socket" is a small, black plastic box under your hood. The "selector cable" is just a short jumper wire that's attached to the box, and plugged into the lid for storage. Some models have two boxes, some only one. If you have two, use the one marked "A".

Post by **billofdurham** » 25 Apr 2009, 11:49

AthenaJade, welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

I agree with everything MasterBlaster has said. Many problems can be detected using the on-board diagnostics, something that the rip off merchants you saw obviously don't know.

The link you have for the diagnostic unit is good although basic as the box has more functions to assist in the repairs. I would disagree about

Remember, all vehicles except California market cars can store only three codes.

After the repairs, the vehicle must be driven in order to find and set new codes.

All of my Volvo literature has this information:

740 diagnostic output1.pdf: (39.18 KiB) Downloaded 128 times

Bill.

AthenaJade · Post by **AthenaJade** » 25 Apr 2009, 21:22

I get that it needs to be checked again, I'm having that done tomorrow by a mechanic that I trust and has done all the repairs on my car, my question was about what the mechanic who told me that the Catalytic Converter is overpowering the Turbo. The cost to repair it.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 25 Apr 2009, 22:28

The cat cannot "overpower" the turbo. However, the cat can get clogged, which will cause your engine to run poorly. The cost to replace the cat is several hundred dollars. But before you do that, have the codes checked as the others have suggested. I think you are correct that the mechanic was trying to rip you off. Go to a shop that knows Volvos or a Volvo dealer.

Oh, and if you live in AZ you do not have to comply with CA emissions rules.