My 86' 240 (4 cyc gas fuel injection) is failing emissions for NOX at 3300 vs approx 1800 specified in NJ motor vehicle inspection. I know the cat converter is the # contributor but doubt it "went bad". the car runs pretty good. Any ideas??

I also failed inspection because the shifter housing is missing (plastic busted during sex!). I couldn't find one in searching several junkyards. Is there an aftermarket source??

garyS - NJ

You have the the Volvo/Chrysler ignition used on 240s thru 1988. It's been claimed that the V/C Ignition CU's design can cause hi NOx, and that plugging the vacuum line to the ICU can lower NOx production with little effect on normal operation.

I first posted it on 5/21/04 (see original post here. ) At least one person has found that this solved his high NOX problem. You can see his happy response at success story.

NOTE that he had failed with a new cat, then plugged the ICU vacuum, put the old cat back on and passed!.

This "fix" is also referenced in a HouRide below (details are actually in another thread).
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.

I have an '84 that I had problems passing the NJ inspection several years ago. The problem was high NOx. Mine doesn't have an EGR system and I'm not sure about yours. I replaced the cat conv with a cheap one from ABC Auto & it just squeezed by only 5 units from failing again. A pass is a pass, right. Anyhow, like you I tried to find out the cause. Seems the biggest thing is high combustion temperatures. So I switched to premium fuel which burns cooler. Costs a few cents more. I took it in for inspection several months ago figuring if it passes, then it will be on the road for two more years; if not: to the boneyard. Well it passed. In fact, it was only 400 or 500 in whatever units the NOx is measured in. Seems to have worked for me. Some other things are to look at the thermostatic door in the air filter assy. There's a bunch of stuff to check. But I've read a good 3-catalytic convertor is essential. Also another 'trick' is backing off the timing a few degrees.

As for the shifter, try the junk yards, err used auto parts. There's a bunch & occassionally they have old bricks.

Advanced ignition timing causes hi NOX as well as a malfunctioning EGR or vacuum leak.

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 070,050 and 1995 964 153,010

High NOX is caused by high combustion temperatures. These in turn result from lean mixtures, malfunctioning exhuast gas recirculators, or plugged catalytic converters.
As you will note in your owners manual, sex is recommended only in the back seat.

Thanks all!

lots of good ideas I'll check the one thread Steve pointed me to.

BTW the sex wasn't with the shifter. the shifter was a casualty of a long legged russian girl I picked up in the city (was a afraid to bring her home or even a hotel).

garyS - NJ

I thought the owners manual recomended against having sex with the shifter at any time, front or back seat.

I think if your other levels are good, it is likely NOT the cat, so try that last. I recently had high NOx > here's the thread:

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=845033

As you will note in your owners manual, sex is recommended only in the back seat.

I think I've seen this written before. I let it go then but now...What gives?
That can't be in the Owners Manual...is it?
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Hey Tony,

It's got to be a joke!

I never noticed that your car is a white sedan too. Your car looks just like my "90". Is yours a DL? What equipment do you have? I'll have to post a picture of mine sometime...

Jim

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Jim 90 244DL 243K

My '89 DL is basically bone stock.

After the radio crapped out I replaced it. I made small boxes to add 6 x 9's for the rear deck and replaced the 4" speakers in the doors. I cut the old speaker out of the Metal mount so the Speaker covers can reamain stock.

I put overload springs in the rear. Other than that, It's just my daily driver. I keep it clean and running as good as I can. I have many other toys that I throw money at.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

I really like the white, I think it is one of the best colors for a 240.

Mine is my daily driver too. Probably will run it into the ground...might take 400 or 500k...Looking for a nice, low mileage 940 turbo to add to the stable.

Apparently I have an unusually loaded DL. It has the usual A/C, PL, PW which I think are part of the DL package. My car also came with a sunroof and cruise. I am totally amazed that all the options still work with this many miles!

Other than an IPD sport exhaust, I have left it stock.

I'm interested in replacing my speakers and leaving the factory grill too. What speakers did you use? How's the sound?

Are the overload springs worth it? Do they stiffen the ride much? Gotta take care of the dead struts first however...

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Jim 90 244DL 243K

I gotta look at home for the speaker box (I think it's in the basement somewhere). Maybe they were Kenwoods. Any aftermarket speaker you buy today will sound better then the old speakers. The Factory speakers are garbage. I'm not into big time stereo stuff or music for that matter but the radio died and I figured I'd treat myself with the speakers.

The door panels do not have to come off to do the speakers. The one thing that did have to happen was i had to slightly space the speakers out away from the door panel. The magnets are much bigger and deeper on the new speakers so to prevent them from hitting the window they had to be shimmed out. Less then 1/8th inch. This causes the grills to be slightly away from the panels. not offensive at all.
So with an aftermarket cheapy radio/cassette and new speakers, it far exceeds the stock setup.
The Springs, I like them fine. with just the driver, you can barely feel the stiffer ride. With the two teenagers and wife in the with a weekends full of luggage, I'm glad I did it.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

I'm not really a car stereo buff either. I've outgrown any need for a "rock the block" type car stereo.

I replaced my busted deck with a nice Alpine cassette. Just never got around to replacing the factory speakers. Not a priority...Since one of the rears is now shot, it's about time I replaced all four but I still want to keep the factory grilles.

Thanks for the info!


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Jim 90 244DL 243K