I have a '95 GLT w/ 98K miles that's supposed to have 168 hp but it sure doesn't feel like it. I bought the car used and it was slow but then again Volvos aren't known for their zip. It has sort of a loud but pleasant (to me) exhaust sound. Can't find any leaks but could this be a sign of catalytic converter blockage? The sound seems to be coming from just behind the engine and hasn't gotten any worse over the past two years. Is there any converter test to check for blockage other than replacement?

From your description, I would suspect nothing is wrong.

The N/A barely pulls the weight of the 850 unless you kick it - the vehicle is underpowered with that engine. 168 hp sounds like quite a bit, so I guess it must have crappy torque at low rpms. I always drive it in sport mode which helps. And yes, it does have a distinctive exhaust sound, also I have heard the muffler gets louder with age.

You'll simply have to learn to enjoy your lame car ;-)
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'97 850 n/a Wagon, 120K mi

Several things such as a prolonged "rich" condition (or a dumb move like I made below) will ruin the CC over time but not cause a blockage. The engine would fail an emission test. Do you have a rattle? I'd put the car on ramps and tap the cat with a rubber mallet The honeycomb ceramic interior of the cat can crack if you hit something ( unlikely) and shift causing an obstruction but as Klaus says, it may idle but not run under load.

In one of my all time bonehead moves, I cross wired our old 740 when changing plug wires (gosh, there were only four...imagine if I'd had 8!) The wife jumped in, fired it up and drove off ignoring that it was running a little "rough". Soon as I heard it, I realized what I'd done but couldn't get her attention. I jump in my truck and chase her down within a mile or so. I pop the hood and the cat is cherry red! Why it didn't catch the whole car on fire is beyond me. I uncross the wires and all is well...for about a month when a terrific rattle developed that I trace to the cat. Pull it off and the honeycomb is in three big chunks. Took a long punch, busted it up and dumped it in the junk barrel. I sure had a "low resistance" cat after that. I'd been screwed if we had emission testing for sure but ran it that way for 7 years til I needed a new exhaust.

Thanks for the info. The car always starts right up except,of course, when the camm sensor went bad and idles fine. Revs really good in neutral and has always passed the CA smog tests. I guess I should have looked longer and held out for a turbo. Leadfoot wifes comments about poor acceleration are getting oooooooold. But I guess I deserve it.

Unless you went to Mexico and got leaded gas, your converter shouldn't be blocked with just 100K miles. With a "blocked" converter, you should be able to idle OK, but increasing the rpm should be a struggle.
Don't forget all of the tune up goodies, like plugs/air cleaner/etc. Major service at 105k?

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(108Kmi), 95 854T(88K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

RPM's go up really nice in neutral. Wish I could same the same when in gear. The previous owner had some teenagers driving the car and I was thinking they may have tried some octain booster that could have done something to the cat. Just looking for a relatively easy fix for the wife's gripes about having to drive such slow wheels. Always a pleasure reading your comments. Thanks for the info.

Dissconnect it and run it hard. If there is a major diff, then.. ???