Posted below regarding noise and air conditioner compressor and power steering pump. CHeck Engine light is now on. Been told it's the second cylinder misfit - needs either spark plug or coil. Shop too busy to repair today and they're on vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow. Said it's okay to drive car for two weeks? Is it okay to drive car?
How much would that repair cost me? How long does it take to repair?

 

Get a new shop. It is never a good idea to keep driving with a misfire. Dealer coil is about $105 and plugs are about $60. Labor is about .7 for non-turbo or 1.2 for turbo.

 

I can't believe this - I dropped the car off this am. Owner not in - unable to give me estimate. Just picked up car - the guy "reset" the error message so that check engine is no longer showing - can another shop hooked it up to their computer to check for error message or since the check engine light is now off will the computer say nothing? (PS noise is still coming form the engine....)

 

If they cleared the codes, you'll have to wait for them to be set again. Usually a misfire from a bad coil is very obvious. The car runs rough at all times and tge light would come back on right away.

 

Drove the car home - about three miles. The check engine light did not come on and the car ran fine with the exception of the noise coming from the engine.... I've got a rental car - was going to take car in somewhere else tomorrow.

 

Its not a coil then. If there was an intermittent misfire code, I would start with spark plugs.

 

I have a few spare coils if you are interested. I will let one go for 40$. let me know.

 

which cylinder misfire? swap the coils an see if the misfire relocate. easy way to see if u have a bad coil. Also check your compression.

 

So I went to another shop about my check engine light and the number 2 cylinder misfire. the light very briefly flashed again when I quickly accelerated. As soon as I let off the gas, light stopped flashing and has not flashed again. New shop says I should have fuel emission service (cost $325). They change spark plugs, clean catalytic converter, check the coils, Does that sound reasonable? What if I just get the spark plugs changed? ($89)

 

That's a ripoff too. Do you have a dealer nearby? This is pretty straightforward for any honest mechanic familiar with Volvo's. Check the coil, replace if needed and replace the plugs.

 

Check engine light came back on today. Pulled into a place that will tell you what your "check engine light" says for free. Message now is something like catalyst efficiency below threshold (of course, now told need new catalytic converter). Guy turned message off - drove home - about 3-4 miles - light did not come on. Now I'm really afraid... Is this progressing into something worse? These guys keep telling me it's ok to drive the car

 

A misfire can cause that code. I've explained what needs to be done. If you want to keep clearing it and driving to another shop, I give up.

 

I appreciate your time and answers. Will get into the volvo dealership as soon as I can. Just very short of funds right now.... Thanks again! I don't ask for the code to be cleared - the people that check it just clear it.

 

Dealership should be free under Volvo Service for Life, up to one hour.

 

Don't think I have Volvo Service for Life - the car is a 2003, don't remember anything like that when I bought it back then. Also didn't purchase it from the local dealer - they mention that when I bring it in - it hasn't been there in years.
PS FYI Just been told the light's back on.

 

The program is for all years and no matter where it was purchased. The only restriction is outside shops. Otherwise they would bring it to me to diagnose for them for free.

 

Thanks for that information! Gonna try to get it to the dealer today.

 

Dropped car off at dealer this morning - haven't heard anything yet. They would NOT honor the Volvo Service for Life - I will be charged $87 (which they will apply to the service bill - of course, I may choose not to fix car meaning I will be billed $87). This is nothing new with this dealership.

 

Dealer wants over $7300 to fix the car - new catalytic converter - $1660 and many many other things - timing belt (which the last guy claimed he replaced) hub and cam seals $1740.... dealer has reset the code and said it has not gone off again

 

All dealers are supposed to honor the VSFL, it is on Volvo's website. I would contact Volvo Cars of North America if they don't.

Couldn't say how accurate the rest is without the codes. A cat is certainly expensive, but a CVVT hub, cam seals and a timing belt is not $1700. The last owner may have done the belt, but if you have a clogged PCV system blowing out the cam seals, it is probably soaked in oil.