Hi everyone,

i'm new here...anyone can advise?

i'm driving a 2001 volvo s40..i've got my engine check light illuminated..went to Autozone & downloaded the fault..the staff told me i've got 2 faults..1 is thati've got to replace my catalyc converter..and 2, my engine coolant tempshows error, so has to change out either the coolant thermostat or coolant sensor..

i've seriously got no idea in these..anyone can advise me with more details?..where can i get it fixed?..the prices to fix them?..are they considered major defect??..do i have to get it fixed a.s.a.p?..or how does it affect the car if its not fixed?..

Thanks& waitin'...

Volvin

 

The local dealer charged $237 to replace the thermostat and coolant temp sensor on our '01 S40. You're looking at around $20 for the t-stat, $55 for the ECT, and $1 for the gasket. Don't forget to add in 1½-hours of labor (this stealership is $99/hr).

The t-stat and coolant sensor is not a very difficult job, if you're mechanically inclined. Only you can decide if $100-$200 to have someone else do the work is a good value.

 

THANKSdjerikd..if i decide to D.I.Y on it, where can i get the parts i need?..

volvin

 

While the thermostat and gasket are common, and can be had at most any parts store, I believe that the coolant sensor will be best sourced from the dealer. If it were me, I just buy them all from the dealer and save the extra trip to the parts store.

 

If it were me I would replace the t-stat and gasket first. You can buy them at the same store that read the codes. Then have the codes erased. Now drive the car and see if any codes return. If the coolant temp sensor code returns then replace that with a new one. Autozone lists one for $65. Not sure about the dealer price. Generally, the Volvo one will be of higher quality but cost more.

After all that then have the codes read again to see if the cat convertor code comes up again. On my 2001, (IIRC) there is an oxygen sensor both before and after the cat. You may need to replace both O2 sensors if this code returns. The cat convertor itself does not have a sensor. The two O2 sensors are compared to make the decision whether the cat is doing it's job. The O2 sensor is rather expensive though, $74 for a generic one where you cut and splice the wires or $175 for a direct fit one.