BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Bob on
Wednesday, 23 July 1997, at 12:25 p.m.
I have a 1986 240. The cayalytic converter has a rattle coming from inside of it. I can shake the exhaust system by hand and hear the noise. The noise occurs mostly when starting from a dead stop. The noise is annoying. What is the cure ?
A new catalytic converter ? Removing the catalytic converter ? Can the loose part be secured from the outside by driving a screw thru to it ?
What should I expect to pay to have this situation corrected ?
Thanks,
Bob
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Henry T. Mui. on
Wednesday, 23 July 1997, at 2:57 p.m.
Bob, suggest to find a firend who has a garage and have him remove the cat.
convertor to see if it's a loose screw in the folw pipe from the exhaust
leading to the cat. convertor. Do not try to drive a screw through the
catalytic convertor system. If after removing the convertor and the noise/
rattle is coming from inside see if you can shake the object inside out.
If not suggest that you get your friend to get a cutting torch and cut
the convertor open to remove the object and re-seal the catalytic converter
and re-weld it back onto the exhust system. Remember this process may not
be legal. I say it's better than going out and purchase a new catalytic converter. Here where I live it's about $300.00+. I had a hairline crack on the pipe of the catalytic converter, I just got the guy at my local garage to
"Mig" weld it for me. The weld should hold up for 6 to 8 more months and it depends on how much you drive too, before the problem happens again!
Or! you could get yourself a new catalytic converter.... Your choice!
Good luck!
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Brian T. on
Wednesday, 23 July 1997, at 6:59 p.m.
My friend's '85 244 had the same problem. If you take remove the cat., you'll probably find that the "honeycomb" inside has come loose. You can stick a long screwdriver in there and break it up so that the pieces are small enough to come out. I wouldn't recommend this though, since tampering with emissions equipment is a violation of Federal law (assuming you're in the U.S.) and it'll be difficult if you have to pass a smog test. Around here (L.A.), independent muffler shops always have the best prices on cats. The price your local Volvo dealer wants will shock you. ---Brian T.
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Dave on
Wednesday, 23 July 1997, at 8:43 p.m.
Before you get carried away, there are three heat shields
on the exhaust header pipe, just before the catalytic converter.
They're just held on by spot welds and if these welds rust through
(like mine) then the heat shields will rattle around when you shake
the exhaust system. If this is the case then a tack weld or even a
sheet metal screw as a wedge should stop the rattle and could save
you the cost of a new header pipe or an unnecessary catalytic
converter.
Cheers -Dave
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Gilbert Kirk on
Thursday, 24 July 1997, at 7:48 a.m.
I had a friend with a 245 that had a rattling in the catalytic converter. Went on for years. I unbolted the converter while changing the clutch and found an exhaust header nut in there. Seems someone had dropped it in there while he was having some kind of exhaust work done. It only rattled when taking off from a stop.
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Saturday, 26 July 1997, at 12:15 p.m.
If the "guts" of the convertor have broken loose, you need to replace the convertor. And, as someone else said, if you price one from Volvo, you will need CPR. Definitely try aftermarket. Beware though, a lot of exhaust places will weld in a new convertor. This is not good. Keep looking and find a bolt in replacement. There are outfits who rebuild the Volvo convertors. Obviously they fit perfectly (if you get the correct one. There are quite a few different ones.).
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by MrSquidlow on
Sunday, 3 August 1997, at 10:56 p.m.
Drop and empty the cat. If you fail emisions I doubt it will be the cat as it really doesn't do anything at idle. This is illegal....I'm also a felon. Emptying the cat can really only do good.
Re: 240 Catalytic Converter[ALL/1998] posted by Dave Stevens on
Monday, 4 August 1997, at 12:24 a.m.
Without the catalyst in the converter I very much doubt someone could pass
a proper emission test plus I'd be worried about the lowered backpressure
burning the valves.
I don't know about your jurisdiction, but up here in British Columbia (Canada's
closest environmental equivalent to California) our emission test includes CO,
NOX and hydrocarbons at both idle and high rpm (under load). If you can't
afford a replacement or rebuilt then at least get one off a wreck.
re: gutted cat. converters[ALL/1998] posted by rob on
Friday, 15 August 1997, at 2:10 a.m.
i've never done it to my volvo (some day i will), but i've got a vw van with a gutted cat. converter. no backpressure problems at all. runs peachy. clogged it up real good when i got a load of leaded gas in it that was mislabled at the pump. could hit 10mph, tops. it runs even better than with a functional converter now.
rob