1999 S80 T6 Burning oil

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 16 Jan 2010, 13:18

It blows a cloud of smoke out of the tail pipe. I'm thinking its a head gasket, still able to run and drive. (I don't do it though) I'm a mechanic but this is my first Volvo so I want to make sure theres not another problem these cars have that can cause this before I pull the head off. Going to pull the plugs and do a compression check today.

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 16 Jan 2010, 16:29

I also wonder if its one or both of the turbos leaking oil. I pulled the plastic air intake that goes over the engine off and it has oil inside of it. Haven't pulled the plugs yet. Anyone ever heard of this? Car has 165k miles on it.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:22

I'd check the oil separator (PVC) system first to make sure it's not clogged. You have to remove the intake manifold to get to it. It's a black box on the front of the engine. If the hole going into the engine block is coked up, the oil can't flow back into the engine and might be sucked in through the vacuum nipple.

The problem could also be a turbo leak, bad valve guide seals, or worn rings.

It's supposedly normal to have some oil sitting in the turbo hoses.

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:32

How do I check the PCV system?

jbrown122 · Post by **jbrown122** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:37

I believe you remove the motor oil dipstick while its running and see if any steam is coming out, then you can tell if your PCV system is clogged up.

Right now, my family members S80 has a clogged oil separator that's throwing out oil, so we're working on that. let us know how it goes.

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 17 Jan 2010, 01:00

I'm leaning towards the PCV system. I removed spark plugs, didn't do a compression test yet but all of them had been burning oil. If it were leaking oil into all cylinders via the head gasket it wouldn't be able to make enough compression to run.

My air intake has oil in it before the turbos. The oil seems to start about 6 inches after the air filter box, theres a hose comming up into it. If I rub my finger on the inside of the intake there's visible oil on my finger when I bring it out.

How do I clean the PVC system?

Also any ideas on getting the oil cleaned out of the air intake tubing and intercooler once I fix it?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 17 Jan 2010, 05:02

R_F_F wrote: How do I clean the PVC system?

Also any ideas on getting the oil cleaned out of the air intake tubing and intercooler once I fix it?

I don't think we have a writeup specific to the S80, unfortunately. Here's one for the 850, it's very similar: http://lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/ First remove the turbo tubing as in the beginning of this writeup: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 11&t=17431
Then remove the intake manifold bolts and flip the manifold over onto the top of the engine to give you access to the front of the block. The oil separator is the black plastic box on the front of the block. There is a bolt holding the separator on that is blocked by the alternator bracket. You can either remove the alternator serpentine belt and alternator bracket to gain access (a real PITA), or buy a new separator (about $50) and break the old separator at the bolt area. After you get the old separator out of the way, use a wrench to remove the bolt, then use an angle grinder to remove some material from the alternator bracket to allow access for a wrench when you install the new separator.

You can buy a new intake manifold gasket or reuse the old one if it was not damaged when you removed it.

Make sure you clean out the hole in the front of the block. I would buy a new seal for that area also (only a couple bucks at the dealer) as they frequently go bad.

You can use gasoline to get the oil out of the tubing (be very careful with ignition sources), or use carb or disc brake cleaner (don't let it set in the tubing for long), then dry them out with compressed air.

For the intercooler, I would blow some compressed air through it with a hand-held nozzle wrapped with a rag. Don't apply too much pressure.

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 17 Jan 2010, 09:50

Thanks, looks like I will be doing this tomorrow. Where can I find new separator?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 17 Jan 2010, 10:32

R_F_F wrote:Thanks, looks like I will be doing this tomorrow. Where can I find new separator?

At a Volvo dealer or some of the sponsors in the banner at the top of the page stock it, IPD and FCP Groton, I believe have it. The manifold gasket and separator seal are available at the dealer.

R_F_F · Post by **R_F_F** » 18 Jan 2010, 12:31

It says to clean the PTC, how do I get the PTC out of the air intake tubing with out breaking it? Does it turn a certain way or do I just pull on it? I pulled and turned a little but I don't want to break it if theres a certain way to get it out.