98 V70 NA - Dorman purge valve - good or no?

Post by **98v70dad** » 30 Sep 2015, 11:33

About two years ago I replaced all the rubber hoses in the front that usually cause codes 0172 and 0440 and the problem went away for 2 years. This included a PCV system modification/upgrade. I also replaced the purge valve and the gas cap. On short notice (car failed madatory emissions check) the only purge valve I could buy was an aftermarket Dorman (I think) from autozone.

I also bought a tapered rubber hose that goes in the back on top of the fuel tank. This looked like a huge deal of work (possibly having to drop the gas tank) so I didn't replace it at the time. The existing hose appeared to be pliable and not in need of replacement unlike the stiff hoses under the hood area. I just put the part in my stash of volvo parts and saved it.

Soooo, the codes disappeared for two years and now that cool weather has hit Atlanta they are back. Its sporadic and it usually happens one day after a fill up with the tank about 3/4 full. I can erase the code and it usually stays gone until the next fill up.

I'm wondering if there is a usual suspect when these codes come back after everything has been replaced. Is the Dorman purge valve any good or should I immediately suspect that it is going bad after 2 years?

Post by **98v70dad** » 30 Sep 2015, 16:00

This post is more about the quality of the dorman (or dorfman) valve from autozone than anything else. Does anyone know if those are good parts that last?

Post by **98v70dad** » 02 Oct 2015, 07:58

Anybody? I searched on the manufacturer name here and came up with nothing much....only one post that said the part lasted only months. I always buy best quality parts unless I have no choice. I had no choice here because I had to pass an emissions retest. I immediately suspect this part. As you know, troubleshooting a small vacuum leak is a real pain and I don't want to do that again unless I have to.

Knowing this info would help me decide what to do. I'm not sure that there is a test for the purge valve.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Oct 2015, 08:07

I think the purge valve is a simple 12V open/closed (normally closed) valve so it is easy to test. If you diagnosis this system by 'experience' rather than testing it can cost a lot of money.

Post by **98v70dad** » 02 Oct 2015, 11:57

abscate wrote:I think the purge valve is a simple 12V open/closed (normally closed) valve so it is easy to test. If you diagnosis this system by 'experience' rather than testing it can cost a lot of money.

Thanks. I replaced everything a few years ago including this valve. I bought the cheapo brand because that's all I had time to get before my mandatory emissions retest. It frustrates me that this leak is back after only 2 years and the valve is the only thing I am suspicious of because it was against my better judgement to buy it in the first place. It works electrically or I wouldn't be getting intermittent trouble codes that when cleared stay fine for awhile then come back in two or three weeks. I suspect that it is leaking. I'd hate to spend the money on a new (better quality) one and then have the same issue.

Scholz · Post by **Scholz** » 02 Oct 2015, 13:32

I have several Dorman brand parts in my dodge ram including some evap components. I did that work in 2009 or so and they've held up in that application if that helps.

Post by **cn90** » 02 Oct 2015, 13:55

I bought a Bosch Purge Valve 2 years ago for $40.
It was made in China (not Germany).
It just failed!

The factory valve (also a Bosch but made in Germany) lasted 15 years!

Anyway, I just ignored the CEL light for now. We don't have emission testing in Nebraska.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 02 Oct 2015, 15:17

Dorman is a decent brand. It's not an original supplier for Volvo, so it may not be as good quality, but Dorman parts I've used have been fine.

Post by **98v70dad** » 02 Oct 2015, 17:07

cn90 wrote:I bought a Bosch Purge Valve 2 years ago for $40.
It was made in China (not Germany).
It just failed!

The factory valve (also a Bosch but made in Germany) lasted 15 years!

Anyway, I just ignored the CEL light for now. We don't have emission testing in Nebraska.

In 2018 the 98 V70 will be exempt from the mandatory emissions testing since it will officially be an Antique. For now I can keep resetting the light but it is annoying. After a career maintaining airplanes I am in my happy place when all of my vehicles are in good shape and nothing needs attention ... hard to do with a 17 year old car. The V70 did go about 4 months without any real problems which is probably a record for that car.

Post by **jreed** » 03 Oct 2015, 06:01

When I get an evap related code (such as P0455, P0442) I always suspect the purge valve and it's relatively easy to access. You can test it outside of the car with a 12V power supply or even a 9V battery will do. I have only tried OEM Bosch, partly because you can harvest many of them quickly from the junkyard for small money.

On my '97 855 GLT (~180k miles) there have been a few different reasons over the years for getting an evap code, including a poorly sealing fuel fill cap, cracked hoses at the roll over valve, cracked hoses at the purge vent valve as well as a leaking purge valve. There are lots of other ways to get an evap code -- they just haven't cropped up yet on my car.