Took it to a shop and they said it needs new Cats, quote was $2500. Car is a high mileage car (253,000 miles) and it has been by far the most reliable car I have ever owned. Was wife's car, now Daughter drives it. I am in California and it needs to be smogged this December and I really don't want to spend that much money on a car as a short term solution. Daughter goes off to college in August, this car won't be needed at that point. Right before the engine light came on, I replaced all the coils, throwing more money at the car doesn't seem feasible. it will also need tires soon as well.

What you guys do?

Does anyone know a reasonable price for Cats? if it was $500, I would just replace them.

 

Just an update, spent $1800 on CA approved Cats, and we still of the same codes and check engine light on. Any thoughts on other things that could be setting off these codes?

 

the P0420 and P0430 are derived by the computer sensing the difference between the front oxygen sensor's reading and the rear sensor. So the first question is, whether new O2 sensors were installed when the cats were replaced? (I would assume they were since its the easiest time to install fresh sensors). so what next ? the front sensor is the "lamba" sensor which measures the oxygen level in the exhaust for the ECU to compute the fuel trim. If you have an exhaust leak (the flex pipe and the EGR tube would be the first thing to check) or a cracked header or broken manifold stud, that can lead to a CEL code since the sensors reading is off. Also, if your plugs and coils are not in good shape leading to misfires etc again that can throw a code (but more commonly other codes would show as well). Since the lamda signal is to control fuel trim, then other things like intake air leaks, poor compression in a cylinder etc can also be a contributing factor. Since this is a high mileage car, I'd start by having the car checked for exhaust leaks between the engine and cats, then I'd consider plugs and possibly coils - and when the plugs are out do a wet/dry compression test, finally if nothing yet, consider having a smoke test for intake air leaks. Last resort is to google "Cel-boss" (not quite legal in CA but its a spacer that moves the down stream O2 sensor away from the exhaust gases enough to avoid a CEL code...). If you run regular vs premium octane, consider a switch and throw in a can of Techron just in case to see if you can clean up the injectors too. It usually takes a couple of tanks of a brand name premium for their detergents to do their thing.

 

Thank you, all good info. It started throwing the codes right after I replaced all the coils and spark plugs. The Sensors were not replaced, I will start there and then exhaust manifold leaks.

 

So know they are telling it is the catalytic converters that are mounted to the Manifold, car has two and it would cost $4500 to replace, crazy?? Car is probably going to get sold to junk yard at this point. Anyone want one that can't pass smog?????

Here is what I have already replaced

https://dz310nzuyimx0.cloudfront.net...fed6d5ce60.png

 

Isn't there a waiver application process in Cali - where if you can show you invested in the repair and the car in fact does meet emissions standards you can get certified? Other than that, send your kid to college in Massachusetts where older cars are exempt from emissions :-)

 

Old thread, but I thought I'd add a little info for anyone searching for the P0430 code...

The number 5 coil failed on me last weekend, and I had to drive it a bit to get to a safe place and also find a temporary replacement coil at a parts store until the OEM replacement comes from FCP euro. I neglected to unplug the number 5 injector, so it was pumping raw fuel into the cylinder during the misfire... Got a P0430 code the next day, no doubt because of all the unburnt fuel dumping into the catalytic converter. Cleared the code with my scanner in hopes that it just burns off with some driving, code came back and I cleared it again, drove it about 20 miles and the code hasn't come back... Hoping it's ok now. Really don't want to have to replace the cat.

Anyway - just a heads up that a misfire could cause a P0430 which may clear itself after replacing the coil and driving for a bit... And a reminder to unplug the fuel injector of the misfiring cylinder so it doesn't dump raw fuel into the cat. The injector is obviously the one closest to the coil. Here's an illustration of the 3.2L engine;



Hope that's helpful to someone.

(Edited to remove some misinformation; I discovered it’s not advisable to disconnect a coil pack while the engine is running, as it could cause other problems.)

 

Ok - so the P0430 code returned… I’m assuming this is the O2 sensor - but which one? According to FCP euro, there’s an upstream and downstream sensor. Code reader only says ‘Bank 2’, it doesn’t say which sensor (typically called out as ‘position 1’ or ‘position 2.’)

 

So doing a little more research - it appears the P0430 code indicates a failed catalytic converter; If it was a bad O2 sensor, there would be a different code. Can anyone confirm this? Is it possible one of the O2 sensors is sending bad data but not resulting in a related code? Without VIDA I have no way of confirming the sensors are functioning correctly. I can only pull the P0430 code with my generic scanner. I don't want to just throw money at it by replacing the O2 sensors, which may actually be working fine. Going to a mechanic means a fee for the diagnostic, plus my local guy is swamped and can't look at it for a couple of days.

 

I managed to pull the upstream O2 sensors on both cats a couple of days ago and stuck a borescope into both of them…Drivers side does appear to be deteriorated, and has what appear to be gaps between the housing and catalytic material. Sensors didn’t look fouled so I guess it’s definitely the cat which is bad.

Does anyone know if the 2010 and 2011 exhaust manifolds are the same? I think I may have mistakenly ordered a 2007-2010 manifold. Looking at my order confirmation email today to check tracking, I noticed it doesn’t list a year for the item, and when I go back to the site to search for it, they only list a 2007 to 2010 manifold. Could’ve sworn it said 2011 when I ordered it, but now I’m not sure. The website doesn’t list a part for 2011 anymore.

 

I’m so confused… This one says part #36001152 fits 2007-2014, but two other websites list a different part number for 2010 and earlier.

https://parts.rileyvolvocarsstamford...EaArHZEALw_wcB

 

so what happend at last with your problem