Has anyone here purchased a Bosal catalytic convertor in the past for their Volvo?
Just wondering if they are of any decent quality for the price. I see that FCP sells a direct fit one for my '98 n/a S70 for $253.00.

None of the converters supplied by the aftermarket are as good as OEM. Before you spend a lot of money, make sure that the CAT is actually bad and not a generic O2 sensor or an air leak between the exhaust manifold and the muffler.

The OEM is not as expensive as you might think from Tasca: http://www.tascaparts.com/parts/1998/VOLVO/S70/GLT/?siteid=213668&vehicleid=1434002§ion=EXHAUST%20SYSTEM

Klaus,
I value your opinion.
Can you explain why you stated that "None of the converters supplied by the aftermarket are as good as OEM". Do you mean to say they will fail in a short period of time after installation?

Not that aftermarket CATs fail, they just have less of the prescious metals than the original CATs and the O2 sensors will acknowlege that after a few months of operation. There is a reason that California makes it illegal to use aftermarket CATs on cars registered there.

Is the engine 'clean' enough to pass inspection? Probably, if a tail pipe gas probe is used. But, a lot of Volvo owners complain about the rear O2 sensor giving them problems, especially when accellerating with a cold engine.

I wouldn't get a new CAT unless the error code specifically told me that the CAT was in fact dead or I could hear the internals rattling around.

Always check for vacuum leaks, exhaust leaks, or in my case - a failed SAS valve allowing exhaust to move freely between the air pump/air filter in both directions.

Klaus,
Is this the part the volvo tech is talking about?

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1998/volvo/s70/air_intake/air_intake_hose.html

O.K., Klaus,
The dealer just called and told me that the cause of my CEL is a leak at the intake tube near the PCV O-ring housing. They ran a smoke test and disovered this leak. They said they can replace the tube ($57) part and clear all codes for $366.

Does this sound like a lot of dough for this job? Why can't they just replace the gasket at the tube point of contact? Is this tube made of steel or aluminum?

He went on to say that I should also consider replacing a small elbow in the same area that will crack soon. Both jobs, $550.

Your dealer sounds like mine! O rings are made out of solid platinum? The air hose from the air cleaner to the throttle body are not super expensive and are held on by a couple of clamps:
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-air-intake-hose-850-s70-v70-9179300
FCP sells one for $38 (OEM) so you know it fits.

As for the elbow, they all rot eventually. But, charging an additional $200 to replace it sounds outrageous.

Your code reader can erase the codes.

I just got a p0445 on my car, but it should be an easy find and fix. Large leak in EVAP system. Code reader deleted it already.

Klaus,
One last question. can you tell me please what brand of code reader you own?
I wonder if mine is too cheap of one and does not give me enough good information.

If you have a Bluetooth device, take a look at this: http://www.amazon.com/Smallest-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Scanner-Adapter/dp/B00B05QIPU/ref=sr_1_9?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1378829953&sr=1-9&keywords=scanner+diagnostic+auto

There is SO much you can do with this thing, but it takes a good learning curve. Note: Get mileage from a 1996-7 850
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56686

Let your phone do the work?

Klaus,
Can you help me find that specific elbow the dealer told me was going bad?
In other words, can you show me a link maybe at FCP Groton so I can buy the right elbow along with the air intake tube?

Thanks. :)

I haven't the foggiest idea which elbow he was refering to, there are only about 12 of them. Ask the dealer precisely which one.

The engine is very clean. I change the oil every 3k miles and the person who had the car before me had it serviced regularly at a Volvo dealer.

I have already replaced both the front and rear sensors with Bosch.
Still shows a CEL before I can get a minimum of two monitors left.
Code pulled is the same as before I changed both sensors. (P0133)

This has nothing to do with 'clean' engine oil or dealer service. Dealers NEVER inspect the vacuum system for cracks, they just wait for codes to develop and then throw parts at it until it goes away.

In most instances, a small vacuum leak leads to a rich running system which then fouls the plugs and O2 sensors, and ultimately the CAT. The P0133 is generated by the REAR O2 sensor trying to get the injectors to change their rate of flow and get the front O2 sensor to respond to the problem.
EDIT: It might even be a dirty MAF sensor or MAP sensor.

But, if the elbow to the vacuum line at cylinder #1 is cracked or some other air enters the intake manifold, the engine management will over spray the injectors and make it rich to counteract a lean condition.

Unless your CAT is making rattling sounds, it is probably OK.

A P0420-428 is a sign that the CAT is about to expire.

Thanks. Do you know what the specific error code is for a dead convertor?
(i.e. P0xxx)
I'll let you know what the dealer says when they call me back sometime today.

Klaus,
Thanks for your tip on checking for any air leaks first. I dropped the car off at the dreaded dealer this morning as I have run out of options to figure out why the CEL won't trun off. They will put the car on their VST (Volvo scan tool) dianostic machine and give me the news later.
Gotta say though that $907.66 is not much of a deal on a CAT convertor on that Tasca website. That will break me!

FWIW, I put a Bosal cat. on our '01 S40 in 2009 and 30K miles ago.
Also got it from FCP and it was a direct fit.
No problems since.

I wish I could remember what was wrong with the original cat. and why I chose to replace it.
--
"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig