engine oil leak - 1997 850 Topic is solved

Barry · Post by **Barry** » 18 Sep 2002, 20:52

Currently I beleive that I have a small oil leak coming from the master seal between the engine and transmission. Each time I park the car, I notice an oil stain (engine oil) about 2-3 inches in diameter.

I took the car back to a Midas shop that did the last oil change, thinking they didn't tighten things up well. They washed down the bottom of the engine and transmission, ran the engine and after about 10 minutes, they began to see a drop or two of oil. The Midas dealer quoted about 9 hours to change the seal. A Volvo dealer confirmed the quote, but did not yet check the problem.

Now my car is 5.5 years old and only 79,000 kilometres (49,000 miles). I'm surprised that I have such a problem at this point in the car's life and am wondering if I potentially have a lemon. We're not hard drivers. We only put on 10,000 km per year.

Is this a sign of bad times ahead?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » 18 Sep 2002, 21:42

I have the same problem on my 1995 850 T . It started with a few drips of oil a couple of years ago at 90,000 mi. I talked it over with the service manager & decided not to spend several hundred dollars in labor to replace a $25 seal. 50,000+ miles later, the leak has gotten NO worse. I just keep a close eye on it.

babynate · Post by **babynate** » 02 Oct 2002, 08:47

Hello all.

The problem with an oil leak between the master seal of the engine and transmission or other areas is that they can not only get worse, but can cause extensive unknown damage to cars.

I have seen problems with oil leaks where people had their timing belt changed and they did not replace the gaskets, but only replaced the timing belt. This in turn caused oil to leak into the timing belt area, which could easily weaken the timing belt and then cause the timing belt to snap prematurely. This would then cause the ever so popular engine feature of having all the valves, lifters and cylinder heads bang and crash against each other until you now not only have a $500 fix, but a $5000 dollar fix for a new (used) engine.

rick in denver · Post by **rick in denver** » 05 Oct 2002, 12:12

Whatever you do don't let Midas work on your car. That organization is a ripoff. Let a good mechanic do the work, just not there.

From past experience.

Bunger · Post by **Bunger** » 18 Oct 2002, 01:16

I've had this problem as well, I was thinking it was a rear main... but if there is some kind of seal between the transmission and the block? Why would where be oil there? Does the oil pan itself seal to the tranny? Thanks for any input!

j.d. compston · Post by **j.d. compston** » 28 Oct 2002, 18:25

I have a 95 850 t with the same problem. I called the service dept of our local dealer to ask their advise . One symptom that no one here has mention is that my car has postive crankcase pressure . THere should be a sight vacumn if you take your oil fill cap off with the engine running.
I mentioned this to the service tech and asked him if it could be the pcv valve ? He agreed that this was most likley the problem but turbo motors do not have pcv valves and told that the fix is cleaning the flame tube. He was not much help after that . I guess they are in business to make $$$
not to give free advise. I'm new to turbo motors I've owned volvos for the last 12 years , this is my first turbo. does anyone know what he is talking about?

MJJ · Post by **MJJ** » 30 Oct 2002, 20:42

This is much less than 2 cents worth, but I seem to recall seeing several posts on various boards that describe the positive pressure problem. This could certainly contribute to a leak I'd think. Can't point you to the exact place but a few minutes with Google and some well chosen search words should dredge them up for you.