'97 960 Air pump

Hi,
I just purchased this car knowing the check engine light was on. I
took the risk knowing it could be a problem but the price was right.
When diagnosed : EF1448 - air pump flow too low and EF1442 - Flow
malfunction.

Mechanic states "air pump will run with power and ground supplied,
suspect flow is too low." Recommend replace pump, check valve and
gasket."

I wondering if the pump needs to be replaced. Could it just be the
check valve? I know I'm grasping at straws here because I don't want
to shell out the $$ for the air pump but.....

Thanks,
Patrick

 

Power the air pump directly and see what happens. It draws lots of
current, so use heavy duty wires. The amount of current will heat up a
cheap light clip lead in about 2 seconds. The pump should blow lots of
air if it's working properly.
These pumps die frequently on the 850 model, partly due to their
mounting location. On the 960 the location is better, but still not
ideal. You're almost sure to have a problem with the valve - it opens
to allow air flow into the exhaust with a vacuum signal from a solenoid
that is energized at the same time as the pump.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

The major problem is that the check valve on the exhaust pipe leaks
letting condensation and exhaust gas back into the air pump exhaust and
eventually into the motor. You could most likely repair the air pump
with the instructions from here:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/air_pump_replacement_850.php

but be sure to replace the check valve when done to prevent a repeat
repair in the short term.

Bob

 

On my '96 850 this was caused by a problem with the air valve, the pump
was fine. I replaced the valve two years ago and have had no check
engine light issues since. Perhaps yours is the same.

I wouldn't rush into replacing the pump, but would start with the valve.
On my car it was an easy job to do myself. The part is readily
available from most of the Volvo parts places.

John

 

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Do appreciate. I think I'll by the
valve and try to replace myslelf first. If that works... I'm a happy
camper. Will keep you posted.

- Patrick

 

Good luck, Patrick. Don't be discouraged if you fail to perform
the replacement. My '97 960 chuck (sic) engine light has been on for 6
months due to the air pump failure. My very trustworthy Volvo mechanic
assured me that I can do without the repair. The down side is that my
emissions control will not run as effectively.

Jason
replacing double m's with singles gets the e-mail address

 

Thanks to all for your input.

Well, I purchased the EGR Check valve at eEuroparts -
http://www.eeuroparts.com/productdetail.aspx?code=6159

Brought it to the mechanic and he installed for $37.50. Worked like a
charm. No more check engine light!!!
Saved a bunch of denaros by not purchasing the air pump as the mechanic
suggested and buying the part on line. I've found the best prices at
eeuroparts.com. Free shipping too.

- Patrick

 

It's baaackkkk... Don't know what happened but after two days of
driving, it's back. Don't know what I'm going to do know. It came
back as I was driving. I would have thought it would have come back
when I started the engine since it's suppose to only be used at start
up. Back to the drawing board.

 

The air pump's function is to inject air into the exhaust at cold start
to help burn the products of the rich mixture needed. However there is
no way for the computer to determine if it is functioning as designed
without some additional expensive components. So it's function is
tested at idle after the car has warmed up. The oxygen sensor feedback
loop is turned off, and the computer monitors the output of the oxygen
sensor. Once everything stabilizes, the air pump is turned on and the
oxygen sensor output is monitored. If the oxygen sensor does not report
more oxygen in the exhaust, the code is set.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Mike,
I went to Autozone to have them run the diagonstics (they do it for
free) because I had another light go on the dash - flashing arrow
pointing up. Something to with the transmission it turns out. However,
that diagnostic check, reset the computer and now all is OK and the
lights have not come on in 175 miles. Perhaps it just needed to be
reset again. I don't know but I ain't complaining. Will keep you
posted.
Thanks

 

I'm thinking I need to stop posting to this group. The engine light is

 

Stop messing and guessing and read the codes which must be there on the OBD.
Then sort out whichever part(s) the code indicates and get it fixed. The car
is too young to have developed any very major faults.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).