I'm the original owner of this V79, with the base 5-cylendar engine. Has 83,000 miles. A year ago the engine was running rough and the check engine light was on. Dealer changed the #1 coil pack. Check engine light came back on while driving home. Dealer then found a sticking valve (I think) and did some major work mostly at their cost (believe this is a chronic issue with this engine). Less than 12 months later the check engine light came on again. This time the dealer said we first needed to upgrade the ECM (computer) at a cost of $235. We did this, and the check engine light came back on while driving home. Dealer now says we need a new catalytic converter at a cost of approx. $1,500. I've had the dealer do everything called for on this car at the appropriate time, used only fully synthetic, and am afraid that I'm entering a period where the maintenance costs are going to eat me alive. Thoughts? Is it reasonable for the catalytic converter to cost this much, and be going out so soon? THANKS.

Hi,
it's very sad than even dealers no not manage their job but are guessing on cost of customers replacing components by hip as Klaus says.
This summer I was given back a half repaired car which caused additional damage on my cost of course!
Br Tapsa
850-94 with 300 000 km and original cat

Man, I hate it when the dealer shoots from the hip. You need to stop by a parts store and "borrow" a scanner and look at/clear the codes.
The 5 cyl engine, used in all of the 850/70 cars is a great engine and does not fall apart. It is poor maintenance that plagues most of them.
I seriously doubt that you need a new cat, and you should have someone check the intake manifold for a leaky gasket instead.

Klaus
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The more I learn, the more I forget. So why learn?

Check your warrenty handbook for the pollution control items, some are covered extended milage requirements. I thought the coverter was such an item (100K??)afm