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Greetings all A belching, droning noise is coming out from under the car when it is running, a sound whose pitch is directly related to engine RPM. It seems to be coming from a pod-like part of the exhaust system but when I run my hand over all around this pod, I don't feel any air leaks from the tube whatsoever. According to the dealership, my catalytic converter is failing. In the year 2000, Volvo equipped their cars with a CC that is a porcelain screen coated with platinum. The porcelain breaks apart and lets more exhaust vibration occur. For only $1150 I can get a new catalytic converter from Volvo! If I don't do anything, more hydrocarbons will get past the converter and set off the rear O2 sensor and change the air/fuel mix.
The Great Volvo graveyard in Sacramento, California doesn't have any of these things. Am I condemned to pay $1150 just for the part to the dealership? This raises my disgust level with Volvo. Can I cut the thing out with a welding torch and say tough luck O2 sensor ....you're going to be ignored now?
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I would be very very careful when choosing an after market CAT. I have been researching the same replacement for mine, which has the original CAT at 155K and throws a CEL once in a while. I'm driving on borrowed time for sure.
My research has indicated that the third party alternatives can be hit or miss when it comes to satisfying the Volvo computer for O2 performance. I've read about many people that still have CEL's popping up after a replacement, despite O2 sensor replacements and other troubleshooting. In many cases, problems have been solved by installing the more expensive factory CAT later. It isn't to say that the CAT isn't actually doing it's job, it's just not doing it well enough to keep the CEL off all the time. The Volvo computer may be abnormally sensitive in these cars. The car could even pass a tail pipe sniffer test, but if it rolls into the testing station with a CEL, it won't pass regardless.
I'm not suggesting that it is impossible, as it appears several here have found alternatives that work. Just beware that it could be a major headache, and end up costing more, if you choose the wrong one, or your car is particularly sensitive.
Also, just a thought. IPD is now selling a turbo back SS exhaust that includes a high flow CAT. If your exhaust is tired, or you want to use this as an excuse to gain a few HP, you could snag their system for $1000. The advantage here is that they guarantee no CEL's, and would be much more prone to standing by the product then another online vendor.
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I drive a lot. It's been about 10k miles since I bought the Benchmark CAT and replaced the front O2 sensor on my NA 2004 v70. The sensor replacement was an OEM-fit Bosch that fits perfectly, had the same connector and proper cable length. The insulation wrap on the harness was black, and the original Volvo is gray, and the actual sensor tip was different.
After 10k miles the CEL never came back. I drove the car for about 30 miles after I installed the sensor (broken wire next to the sensor body) until the light went out, and it has not been back on since. The Benchmark/DEC is well-made and finished...and the fit was perfect. It does not look as 'good' as the original that came off the car, but it doesn't look cheesy or cheap. The actual CAT portion was only about 2/3rd's the size of the one that came off the car. But 7 years later it's possible that CATs are more efficient now, and the size is not important. I ended up paying about $600 total, for the CAT and the labor to install it, and the new sensor. If I had gone original Volvo it would have been more like $980 for CAT (Tasca), plus freight ($30), labor to install ($80), and an original Volvo sensor ($220, ordered with CAT from Tasca). So I got off with half-price. The car has 180,000 miles.
Oh. One lasts thing. Volvo wants the old CAT back. There was a core charge to buy an original Volvo CAT. I have my old CAT. One company offered me $120 for it and a call-tag to ship it. If anyone has a name of a company that will buy it, and has experience with them, I would appreciate it if you could tell me where they are. The local junkyard told me "maybe fifty-bucks" and "it's just scrap metal".
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....
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So do you know for sure if you would fail an emmissions inspection? If not, then its just the noise that's the problem (for now). BTW, the rear O2 sensor shouldn't affect the fuel mixture, it's just there to verify whether the CAT is doing its job or not. You didn't say anything about a CAT code/MIL coming up, if no code, then probably you would pass the test; maybe fail the noise ordinance. Is there anything that hasn't been regulated to death in CA?
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You can't buy a used cat. You can buy original volvo (best quality but probably overkill for a car that is ten years old), find someone to weld in a universal cat (it's not that cheap, and finding someone to do it well for a reasonable price could be a challenge), go to someone like smithcat in chicago who will take your core and send you a rebuild (if they have one) or buy an aftermarket direct fit. I did the last one. Klaus is right. I bought a direct fit benchmark (which is a private labeled DEC - diversified environmental catalyst) from US Auto Parts. One of many internet parts companies that are different fronts for the same company. If you sign up with US Auto they will email you coupons and discounts to get you to order. The cat on my car was about $467 and I think I ended up with 20% and free freight. I probably paid more than that, and I'm just trying to forget the pain. I called around to local muffler shops because I love working on my own car but I hate laying on my back and working from underneath. I got quotes from $70 to $200. The shop that did it for $80 was totally professional and capable.
Just make sure you discover the reason your cat failed. You might have an intake leak, a bad O2 sensor or any number of problems. I changed an O2 sensor.
It made an amazing difference in performance and fuel consumption.
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....
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The dealer also didn't tell you your bad CAT is worth about $200 at a recycle yard. Typical.
Yes you can and must get a new one, otherwise you will fail inspection and wind up with a large yard ornament. There are a couple of places that will sell you a CAT, new, for much cheaper than the dealer. BUT, you must get one that meets CA standards which are better than the other 49 states.
Google gave me this: http://www.catalyticonverters.com/shop/?N=9190&Nr=OR(AND(make:Volvo,model:V70,year:2000),AND(universal:1))&Vi=11879+4294963365+1733&y=2000&mk=Volvo&md=V70
And I saw this one: Catco Catalytic Converter - Stainless Steel
2000 Volvo V70CATCO DIRECT FIT CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY -- 50-state legal; Flange inlet; Single inlet and outlet configuration; Standard assembly with one catalytic converter; Ceramic monolith catalyst substrate; Oval stainless steel casing; Designed with 409 stainless steel pipes and shell for longer life.
Fit Note: XVVXV2.43TF3, Executive Order #D-280-78.
Material: Stainless SteelFree Shipping on Orders Over $50
Availability: In Stock
FITS (Engine/Chassis) SKU PRICE QTY
2000 Volvo V70 CAT412312 $261.13
I suggest looking around, use the search engine, and find one that is a direct fit, not just the cheapest one.
Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.
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Where are these recycle yards that pay $200 for a used cat.? I guess they don't advertise. I haven't found one yet.
I only got $15 from the local yard for the old cat. from the '01 S40. Sounds like I got screwed, live and learn I suppose.
So who buys them for hundreds of dollars? I want names!! For that much, I'd ship the bad one anywhere.
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You need to find a junkie that cuts them off cars and sells them to recyclers. The platinum alone is worth a bunch of hundreds.
Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.
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I'll check my address book!
Just kidding.
Glad you don't know any either.
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The car in question is in Florida but I will be returning to the California/Arizona part of the country I am from after a few years of teaching here. I purchased the car on the internet from a dealer in New Jersey because I know it and other Volvos well. They are painful to own at times but I keep going back to them. It must be my fate. The fifty state legal CC from the CC web site looks pretty tempting at a mere $261. I have also considered the ipd exhaust system which they claim can be adapted to the non-turbo I have.
I didn't know so many others have had to face this. I didn't even know CC's wear out.Thank you all.
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Quite welcome. That is what this site is all about, no bling, just helping keep the Volvos on the road with the least amount of cost. Unless it is a critical part where OEM is called for.
As for the CC going bad, that is usually due to 87 octane gasoline or a few trips to Mexico and getting leaded gasoline? The lower octane tends to pollute the converter because of the knock sensors making the engine run rich, which also causes the O2 sensors to get coated and respond ever more slowly.
Get a newer Volvo, California model, when you get to the West coast. The testing out there is pretty strict and they don't like cars from out of state.
Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.
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Klaus, his profile says he's in FL, perhaps the car is registered elsewhere, and can be plated as such. Being outside of CA will save you on the CAT..
Also, OP, it is illegal a salvage yard will sell an untested CAT. They make more money recycling it than they would testing them and selling the ones that would pass.
This is from the EPA:
EPA considers it a violation of the policy to install a used converter from a salvage yard or sell it for reuse unless it has been properly tested and labeled. Similarly, it is a violation to install an untested used converter brought in by a customer, even if the customer insists that the used converter came off his/her vehicle.
Salvage or junk yards also would be considered liable for causing tampering if they sell converters that have not been tested or do not meet the requirements outlined in the policy and if the converters are subsequently installed by parties named in the Clean Air Act as prohibited from tampering.
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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?
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