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Hello All,
Has anyone replaced, or attempted replacing either oxygen sensor with a universal fit sensor?
CarQuest carries an exact replacement Bosch sensor for about $170. I saw on autopartswarehouse.com a universal Bosch sensor for about $65. Only physical difference, you need to cut off your old connector and crimp it onto the new sensor.
Any comments from a previous experience would be appreciated. Thanks.
Rich W.
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Don't do it! They don't work. Even though it's still a Bosch, Volvos are especially picky about those parts.
What makes you suspect that yours is bad? Often times the cars will throw a false oxygen sensor code for a vacuum leak or EVAP system leak, so check around for those first.
The charcoal canister and vacuum elbow under the battery tray are the 2 usual suspects.
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OK. Thanks for the information. I will avoid the universal sensors.
It started throwing a P0422 code (off and on) about a year ago. I believe the description on my code reader was something like this, “main catalyst below threshold”. I took that to mean the downstream oxygen sensor was at fault.
I will check the charcoal canister and vacuum elbow. I’m not familiar with checking those, but I would assume to do a physical inspection, and test with a vacuum pump for leaks. Would that be correct?
Thanks again,
Rich W.
Apex, NC
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Was the code p0442 or p0422? Two different systems.People often get those codes confused.
p0442 is an EVAP leak code. Often J hose crack at charcol canister.
p0422 is a cat converter code. Could be a bad cat, bad 02 sensor or an exhaust leak. When I had a p0422, it was a rusted hole in the connection where the converter meets the rest of the exhaust pipe and it uses that funny clamp that rusted through.
I do agree OEM 02 sensors are best. Just do a full exam first to make sure thats your problem because they are expensive. Is the car running rich? Any smell of sulphur from exhaust?
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Oh ok. You're probably right about the rear one then! Sometimes the codes thrown for the front one can be caused by vacuum leaks, but if you're getting codes for the rear one, it's probably bad.
The cracking elbows are easily visible to the naked eye, if you wish to check them anyway for peace of mind. The charcoal canister is just after the fuel tank under the rear wheel well.
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The code is definitely P0422. There is no smell of sulphur.
I must admit, of all my vehicles, I am least familiar with the Volvo.
I’ve been fortunate and never really had to get way under my vehicle until now. As far as getting under to check the charcoal canister and the converter, what is the best way to support the car? If I use the jack points to lift the car, where do you put the jack stands? The owner’s booklet doesn’t provide very good information in this regard. For my other vehicles, I have the factory manual. But for the Volvo, I only have a Haynes manual. It is far from a factory manual, but that is all I have, and its information on lifting and supporting is worse than my owner’s booklet.
Thanks again,
Rich W.
Apex, NC
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Here is a vid on the P0442, but I don't think thats your problem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNI3RZXUSaM
I did not crawl underneath when I had the p0422, I could just hear the leak, I took it to a muffler shop, they cut out the rusted section and welded in a new 6 inch pipe. Upon restarting the car, the p0422 light went out. I don't know how to test a cat except for smell, bad gas mileage, lack of exhaust etc. How many miles on your car. I replaced both my 02 sensors at 120k miles. It could also an exhaust leak closer to the manifold too. If you have to replace the cat, they are really expensive and aftermarket cats won't work imho. I've read tons of posters who use aftermarket cats only to get more codes.
Whatever happens, please let us know how you resolve it.
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Thanks for the link. I will be sure to look at it, and also check for exhaust leaks.
Our S70 has 132,000 miles on it. This would be the first o2 sensor replacement. (I've never done anything with the air pump either. Beginning to wonder if our car has one, but that's another thread I suppose.)
Thanks again for the info. If anyone has any other advice, I'm all ears.
Rich
Apex, NC
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http://volvospeed.com/Repair/jackingpoints.php
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26161&p=113448
It scares the crap out of me to crawl up under any car on jack stands. I knocked a car off them once trying to tug on a stuck wheel lug, and it fell with a pretty good thud that would have killed me if I had been under it. Our driveway is on an ever-so-slight incline, and the stand fell over backwards. I was going to work on my parking brake, and thought leaving the car in 1st would be enough to hold it there while I jacked up one side. I use ramps if I'm planning on crawling under the front of it for anything. I'm fairly small, but you should be able to crawl up under the back end and have a look around without jacking it up - the back of my S70 sits up pretty high.
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I'll check out the links you provided.
25 years ago, I didn’t think twice about crawling under a vehicle totally supported by jack stands, with the wheels off no less. Now I look back and think what in the world was wrong with me! How insanely stupid could I get?
I’ve been thinking about fabricating some block type stands out of 2” x 12”’s to sit the car up on. Sorta like oversized ramps without the ramp. Think it would be much safer. Yeah, thinking back I can remember my father-in-law telling me about having a ramp kick out on him one day. He was working under the vehicle, the phone rang and he crawled out to answer it. While on the phone with no one around the vehicle, out pops the ramp and down it came. It would have crushed him. Makes a short lift look pretty inexpensive in comparison.
Oh, if it is the oxygen sensor, what is the best way to reach it? I suppose it is so far back from the engine, you cannot reach it without supporting the vehicle and crawling under.
Thanks again,
Rich W.
Apex, NC
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Rich,
How did this get resolved? Was it the 02 sensor? Thanks!
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IIRC, it is here or just behind that. I don't have any pictures that actually show it.
Pick up an O2 sensor wrench at the auto parts store, and some PBlaster or Liquid Wrench. Those things rust in there pretty good. The connectors are also a pain, as they fuse to the metal.
Other than that, its fairly straightforward.
I have a $35 set of sturdy plastic ramps that I use - they're not extremely tall, but they get the nose up enough I can do oil changes and stuff. I don't trust the old metal ones that my dad has.
Btw, the oil all down the underside of my car is what happens if you don't clean the PCV system...
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