Front Lambda Sensor V70 2002 2.4 NA

[CarlW]

Before I start I'm new to this volvo forum, a second generation volvo person with 20 years of ownership.

I've recently bought this car, it clearly had a new front lambda sensor fitted which I did notice before I bought it, the sensor being a Denso DOX-1419

The CEL lights on startup regularly and the local specialist has advised that the rear lambda sensor is tripping the CEL and I need a new cat at £940-00

I am concerned that simply changing the cat is not going to resolve the issue and another new cat will be required very shortly, because we haven't fixed the issue.

Whilst driving the car I notice a very strong petrol odor when the car is warming up or used with high revs particularly when the petrol tank is over half full.

So is the Denso DOX-1419 correct or should I have a new volvo lambda at a whopping £300

Is there anything else I should be looking for other than another car which is what the local volvo specialist is suggesting if I'm reading between the lines correctly!

Many thanks
Carl

[big_yin]

Are there any fault codes?

I presume that Volvo can tell you what type of sensor there should be fitted?
If it needs a Bosch sensor then another brand can maybe give a lot problems.

[CarlW]

I was told catalyst system below efficiency which would be P0420 and it was the only code

[Georgeandkira]

Actually knowing the code can help.
A filthy car salesman filtering your diagnostic information mightn't show you the best route.
How may miles are on your '02? How pristine does it look? I can't imagine any dealer wanting to take an '02 in on a trade-in.
What's the vintage, mileage and appearance of the car he's steering you toward?

I replaced the front O2 sensor of my '02 2.4 NA with a Denso 234-9019. "Everybody" warned against buying any cheap sensor for a Volvo. "Universals" are completely out of the question.
The circuitry associated with these sensors is said to be unforgiving in our cars.
The vast majority of posters here suggested buying only volvo sensors.
I selected the Denso because Denso makes O2 sensors for Volvo. The old one was of Volvo brand and p/n (9497292) AND bore the Denso logo too.
There was no problem over 41 months and 39,000 miles at which time I sold the car.

Were I in your situation I'd get the code(s) read by a VIDA or PPC reader. Then take it from there.
I do not want to get ahead of the task here but I'd go with the Denso units.
Unless the cat has been burnt up by raw fuel I'd bet it's still good. Kira

[CarlW]

To me the steering wheel and the pedal rubbers look about right for 172K, the car runs well, fairly smooth now after cleaning the throttle body, no noticable hunting, idle speed does vary between 750 and 850 but is stable at that each time its reaches it its just sometimes 850 and other times 750 there are one or two things that need a bit of attention, the engine does show signs that the previous owner didn't like paying for oil, I'm expecting that to clean up, the pcv is clear new oil new air filter.

Just lots of petrol odor and apparently one error code which was put to me as cat efficiency rather than the code.

Oh I should mention I've swapped the petrol cap with my classic 2.4 which didn't change the petrol smell.

[Georgeandkira]

My '07 came with good history but still had disturbing black stalactites on the filler cap.
I considered running a solvent (motor cleansing flush) but people convinced me to just let good, synthetic oil gnaw away at any dirt. Currently there's no evidence of excess crankcase pressure in my car.

Seriously, I was considering draining the oil and filling the pan with denatured alcohol so the PCV catch box-to-crankcase passage would be cleaned. Any picture of any PCV job I've ever seen posted shows these passages choked with black goo.

All of this is secondary to sussing out your code and smell. Emission related codes are standardized in the auto industry but it still would be good to get the precise Volvo code before starting throwing expensive parts at a problem.

[CarlW]

Kira

so I've been given an industry standard breakdown rather then the Volvo vadis codes,

[jasmith44]

Originally Posted by CarlW

Kira

so I've been given an industry standard breakdown rather then the Volvo vadis codes,

Exactly

[CarlW]

Many Thanks

Proper codes to follow between 06 & 07 Jul!

[oragex]

Originally Posted by CarlW

Just lots of petrol odor and apparently one error code which was put to me as cat efficiency rather than the code.

Petrol odor is usually from perished hoses near the gas pump cover on the fuel tank. As for the catalytic converter, I would rather take the time and find/fix what caused the converter to go bad, or the new one will go bad in no long as well. May be plenty of things, but usually incomplete fuel mixture burning would be the culprit.

As for the front O2 sensor, try finding online which number is the correct one for your engine, as these varied I believe depending on the year and also on the turbo/non turbo engine. I used a NTK on my 2003 non turbo without cel and with good fuel consumption.