# Do I Need A New Catalytic Converter?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** catalytic-converters\
**Created:** [March 17, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909 "2009-03-17T18:07:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cahnman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cahnman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cahnman)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909/1 "2009-03-17T18:07:42Z")

</div>

My 1997 Volvo 850 just flunked a California smog test. The NO emissions at 15 mph(472 ppm) were about 10% higher than the maximum allowed (424 ppm). Interestingly enough the NO emissions at 25 mph (434 ppm) were considerably LOWER than the maximum(711 ppm). I phoned my Volvo repair shop, and they said, “You definitely need a new catalytic converter, which will run you $1,600 plus tax and labor”. Is there anything other than a catalytic converter that might be wrong here and might cost me less to repair?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909/2 "2009-03-17T18:47:26Z")

</div>

It is possible that your EGR valve is stuck and is causing higher than normal temperatures in the cylinders. It is also possible that your ignition timing is “off”, but I don’t know if the timing is adjustable on a '97 Volvo.

Before I invested in a new catalytic converter, I would have the EGR cleaned or replaced, and I would replace the spark plugs. Either or both of these things could help you to pass the NOX test.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cahnman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cahnman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cahnman)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909/3 "2009-03-17T19:00:24Z")

</div>

Thank you, VDCdriver.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909/4 "2009-03-17T19:46:39Z")

</div>

One of the passages to and from the EGR valve could also be clogged.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-a-new-catalytic-converter/27909/5 "2009-03-17T19:49:40Z")

</div>

It should also be pointed out that you likely can get a new converter from an independent mechanic for a lot less than the dealer is asking. The converter may be from a third party manufacturer, but that is fine.