V8 Balance Shaft

[bmdubya1198]

How's the timing cover gasket? If you're going that far, you might as well do the timing cover as well, including the front crankshaft seal.

What year is your mom's V8? 2005 was the bad year for the balance shaft bearing, and supposed to be fixed 2006 and later. But if you're in there that far, it's worth at least planning to shine a light down at the back of the bearing and inspecting. Having done it once, I'm a little cynical about the back bearing lasting "forever", although people don't complain about it, so maybe it does. But I'd at least look. If your mom's engine IS a 2005, you should seriously consider "drilling the hole" if you're in there that far.

Feel free to ping me if you have specific questions. Email is best, as sometimes it's intermittent when I'm online.

Roger

It's a 2007, so it's the "improved design". I have to dig a little deeper to get a good view on the leak, I haven't totally pinpointed it yet. There's definitely a good bit of oil leaking, though, and it definitely looks like it's coming from around the timing cover. Particularly on the back side of it, closer to the firewall.
I'm going to take a closer look tomorrow, I'll be under there anyway to replace the tie rods and control arms.

I plan on replacing the front crank seal for sure though. I'm kind of hoping that's the only leak, but I doubt I'll get that lucky!

[Roger_850T]

Here's a note on sealing compound.

The Volvo manual indicates to use p/n 30757050 "Engine Sealing Compound" to seal a couple of spots on the timing chain cover. I couldn't find it anywhere. It's no longer available from Volvo.

FCP carries a product by Wurth, product 08933211, which I bought and used. It's a large container, 200ml, which was much more than what I needed. That product, for $60+, is probably enough to do 10 of these timing covers, if not more. Still, I was very happy that FCP had it!

After further cross referencing... The Wurth container indicates it meets the manufacturers spec for:
GM: 1052751, 1052917
Ford: D6AZ-19562-B
Chrysler: 4318025
Fiat: 9.55720/B

Somewhere along the way (sorry I wish I had the reference), I've also seen it crossed to Permatex RTV Ultra Black. I also bought a tube of this.

If I have to do this again, I think I will probably just get a tube of the Permatex RTV Ultra Black, and use it anywhere the Volvo Engine Sealing Compound is recommended. It seems to be similar and/or equivalent, and it's much more available (and much more affordable) for the same recommended application.

Roger

[Roger_850T]

It's a 2007, so it's the "improved design". I have to dig a little deeper to get a good view on the leak, I haven't totally pinpointed it yet. There's definitely a good bit of oil leaking, though, and it definitely looks like it's coming from around the timing cover. Particularly on the back side of it, closer to the firewall.
I'm going to take a closer look tomorrow, I'll be under there anyway to replace the tie rods and control arms.

I plan on replacing the front crank seal for sure though. I'm kind of hoping that's the only leak, but I doubt I'll get that lucky!

The valve cover gaskets and the timing cover gaskets are made of the same material, which is a soft pliable rubber when new, and over time becomes hard and brittle, and subsequently fails to seal the oil in. The timing cover has the same thing, and with heat and age, it's in the same condition as the timing cover gaskets. I highly recommend that you do the timing cover when you do the valve covers. It's only a little more work, but if you don't do them, I think they will start leaking pretty soon, and you'll be back in there to fix them soon.

If you don't have to do the balance shaft, you can skip the whole "pull the head off" part.

With that much taken out, the water pump took about 10 minutes to do. (I already had all the coolant drained off.) I recommend it prophylactically.

Also, plan to do the PCV valve/hose, plus a rubber hose that goes between the two valve covers. They'll be hard and brittle, and really warrant replacing, as you'll need to take them off anyway. (Might as well put a new part back.)

Roger

[bmdubya1198]

FCP carries a kit that includes pretty much anything and everything you would need for the timing cover gasket job, including the sealant and PCV hoses. I might get that kit, but I don’t know about spending $65 on the Wurth sealant. Great tips though, I’ll probably change the water pump too.
Like I told my mom, I wouldn’t mind putting the time and money into this car at all... it’s in great shape and it’ll last a long time. Her last car was a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, which was a great car overall, but it was just shy of 100k miles and I would never want to own a Hyundai out of warranty. The engine was replaced at 80k under warranty due to failing rod bearings, so that was enough! A 150k mile V8 Volvo was a good upgrade!

Funny you mention the sealant though, I was actually curious about sealant choice. I’ll probably use the Permatex Ultra Black if that’s comparable to the Volvo spec. Like you said, it’s much cheaper!

[Roger_850T]

I came across this youtube video that I thought was pertinent, so I thought I'd share it on this thread. This gentleman does a full teardown of the V8. The dialog is in Russian (I think) so I don't have a clue what he's saying, but the visuals and seeing what it all looks like when disassembled would have been useful to have seen prior to starting my balance shaft project.



Cheers!

Roger

[Roger_850T]

FCP carries a kit that includes pretty much anything and everything you would need for the timing cover gasket job, including the sealant and PCV hoses. I might get that kit, but I don’t know about spending $65 on the Wurth sealant. Great tips though, I’ll probably change the water pump too.

I looked at the FCP kit, and almost bought it. In the end, I decided I wanted "blue box" Volvo parts, not necessarily the ones reported to be oe/oem at FCP, so I bought "blue box" parts elsewhere. I was able to buy well, and the cost difference was not significant. That said, I think you'd do fine with the FCP kit.

Roger

[bmdubya1198]

I just ordered the contents of the kit the other day, expected to arrive Wednesday. I didn't buy the whole kit since it included the $65 Wurth sealant, and I felt like that money would be better put towards new idlers! I'll use the Permatex Ultimate Black.

[jimmy57]

The OE RTV is hard curing and gray. Use the Pernatex 82194 ultra grey rigid.

[bmdubya1198]

The OE RTV is hard curing and gray. Use the Pernatex 82194 ultra grey rigid.

Gotcha. That's what I'll use then!

[Cducasse]

Man, I wish I had seen this prior to purchasing my v8 2005 with 59k miles in July 2019. I do love the XC90 and hope engine 7001 doesn’t suffer this defect. Here’s to hoping. Great write up, at least I know if I hear an engine noise, get it towed immediately