possible bad news for my V70

markb · Post by **markb** » 06 Jul 2005, 20:46

I just replaced the spark plugs in my 98 V70, which seemed to cure a misfire problem I was having. When I removed the black cover to access the plugs, there were several little puddles of oil in the low spots on top of the engine block. I'm no mechanic, but this can't be good. What's the likely diagnosis? I thought with a blown head gasket you're supposed to see water in the oil, but the dipstick looks normal to me. The car does blow smoke out the tailpipe on a cold start, and it burns a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or maybe less. The dealer told me a year ago I will need a valve job, but he said it would probably be OK another 30,000 miles. That was about 10,000 miles ago. The car has about 120,000. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

Post by **kelvin6** » 06 Jul 2005, 21:17

Oh, don't worry about the oil puddles, my 850 has the same problem, just soak it up with some paper towels and clean it up and you're good to go.

What I mean is that your Oil Filler cap is leaking. If the valve cover was leaking, wouldn't the oil be dripping and going down the engine? If it were on top, the only place where it can develop a leak is at the cap. Which means your going to need a new gasket (not necessarily a new cap) for the filler cap. This is a cheap $0.65 fix, I just ordered one to fix mine as well. Believe it or not, my mechanic said the same thing, replace the valve cover. I used some common sense and little automotive knowledge. You can order that parts from a dealship or try the links for parts on this website. I ordered mine from FCP Groton.

BTW, check your Flame Trap (again we have a tutorial on this site), at least I think your V70 has one (assuming theres no turbo). If its clogged, you will encounter serious problems, like making the car vomit oil from the filler cap (or even blowing out the valve gaskets)??? Flame trap (PCV) is another cheap fix its bad. Its a simple DIY.

As for the Valve cover thing, that would be interesting to see oil go up to the top of the engine and get into the covered area (I really don't think so). Then again your problem can be both. Try the two simple fixes first.

markb · Post by **markb** » 06 Jul 2005, 21:27

I will sleep better tonight. I actually considered the leaking cap idea and it looked like some oil came from there. BTW, my V70 is a Turbo, which I replaced last year - but that's another story. Thanks again!

Post by **kelvin6** » 06 Jul 2005, 21:32

Hmm, I don't think the turbo models had a flame trap (PCV). But the cold smoke you described is interesting. What color is it (this will tell a lot about your engine's condition)? Blue, clear, black, etc?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 07 Jul 2005, 07:20

kelvin6 wrote:Hmm, I don't think the turbo models had a flame trap (PCV). But the cold smoke you described is interesting. What color is it (this will tell a lot about your engine's condition)? Blue, clear, black, etc?

Apparently correct. I read in another thread here where someone stated that the Turbo itself acts as the FT in the Turbo models so only n/a (non-turbo models) have FTs.

markb · Post by **markb** » 10 Jul 2005, 21:41

Kelvin 6, the smoke color is definitely blue. I bought a bottle of treatment that I think is called "No Smoke". I figured it's worth a try - real thick stuff you add at oil change. Thanks for your posts.

Post by **kelvin6** » 10 Jul 2005, 22:51

Blue is bad. I remember a while back, when I started my friend's old car that had been sitting around for 4 years untouched. That car started (amazingly) and blew out blue smoke (due to many factors). We guessed that it needed several engine gaskets, because it dried up, cracked or something. If your the car continuously blows out blue smoke even after warming up, you may have to consider a a new head gasket (I think) or other minor engine work.

If the treatment stuff doesn't work, don't keep trying it. Treatments like that can cause damage if used too often. Lets not make the problem worse. At least there isn't any serious damage to the engine (yet).

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 11 Jul 2005, 06:59

kelvin6 wrote:Blue is bad. I remember a while back, when I started my friend's old car that had been sitting around for 4 years untouched. That car started (amazingly) and blew out blue smoke (due to many factors). We guessed that it needed several engine gaskets, because it dried up, cracked or something. If your the car continuously blows out blue smoke even after warming up, you may have to consider a a new head gasket (I think) or other minor engine work.

If the treatment stuff doesn't work, don't keep trying it. Treatments like that can cause damage if used too often. Lets not make the problem worse. At least there isn't any serious damage to the engine (yet).

Agree. The jury is split with regard to effectivness of oil treatment additives. Based on the old rule of thumb, white or black smoke=good/ok, blue smoke =bad. Seems like your engine is indeed on the way to ruination. I would have the pros look at it immediately. *oh, and unfortunatly, take your wallet* . : (

markb · Post by **markb** » 11 Jul 2005, 19:50

Just to clarify, the smoke only appears upon a cold start-up. It's a good-size puff, but it does not continue after the one puff. The dealer told me several months ago that I should get a valve job and oil pan replacement, but since I had spent about $2,200 to pass emissions (O2 sensors and turbo) I was not in the mood or able to spend a bunch more on valves or anything. Can I do much further damage driving it like this, as long as I keep the oil level up? Are highway trips OK? Is the car going to suddenly just breakdown or will there be warning signs? Thanks for the replies.

Post by **kelvin6** » 11 Jul 2005, 21:10

One puff... well it isn't serious yet, so I guess normal driving is okay for now. If it does gets to the point that its blue continuiously (keeps blowing smoke even when warm), then stop driving it. The valve cover or/and head gasket is probably leaking (better than saying blown), due to some sort of pressure build up, and causing oil to seep out through the oil filler cap, and possibly through the gaskets as well. This can also be something w/ the turbo, because the turbo acts as the flame trap to help relieve the pressure.

But before we go into saying that its for sure the gasket. Lets check if it is leaking at all (or some other problem). Your engine is similiar enough to my 850, so my description should be close enough.

1st. Look at your filler cap. Remember that we guessed that this thing was leaking oil, well that might be half your problem right there. Do order a new gasket for the filler cap eventually. I just did mine today

.

2nd. Look a little lower, right around the aluminium cover that covers the fuel injectors. If you look at the space between the aluminium cover and the engine block, you should be able to see some the fuel injectors and you should notice that there is a gap on the engine block, this gap (line) that runs horizontally around your engine is the valve gasket for your engine.

3rd. Look for oil (or black deposits) BELOW this line. Follow the gasket gap all around the engine. If it was leaking oil, it would leave trails of oil seeping down in the area blown (sorry for such a harsh word).

^ This might not be the accurate way to determine this, but I exhibited a strange issue when I had no oil deposits below the gasket, but only above

. My mechanic suspected the valve gasket need replacement, and I didn't believe him, and I still don't. My 850 runs strong and still passes emissions.

Well with the story of my friend's car, after a nice oil change, it didn't blow blue smoke, but white (and still unfortuantly still continuiously). Just remember when you do your next oil change, note the color of the smoke, if still present. I'm not asking you to change your oil now or switch over to synthetics (which doesn't really burn) or anything right now. Lets wait and see.