oil leak

volvo850-mike · Post by **volvo850-mike** » 24 Jul 2005, 07:08

My '95 850 turbo is leaking oil just behind the front passenger side tire. I took it to a shop where a friend works and they told me it was my head gasket. The car isn't overheating at all and there is no antifreeze in the oil. The antifreeze isn't leaking either. I don't have 100% confidence in the shop where I brought it to so should I get a second opinion somewhere else? I don't have a Volvo dealer near me. What else could be causing a leak in that general area that they may have possibly overlooked?

Thanks! Mike

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 24 Jul 2005, 07:38

Most likely the front crankshaft seal

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 24 Jul 2005, 11:21

volvo850-mike wrote:I took it to a shop where a friend works and they told me it was my head gasket.

LOL, do yourself a big favor and never step foot in that place again. I agree with Jot; it sounds like it could be a the front crank seal, much less of a pain to deal with than the rear crank seal. Also, be sure to check your oil cooler lines as well as the lines going into the power steering reservoir. The very best way to determine the source of a leak is to use a dye kit.

volvo850-mike · Post by **volvo850-mike** » 25 Jul 2005, 10:27

Thanks guys for the replies. I will be taking it to the Volvo dealer to fix my leaky, defective gas tank soon so I will have them check it out too while I'm there. If it does happen to be that crank seal, what could I expect to pay for it to get fixed? Also the dealer quoted me a rough estimate of 400.00 for a new water pump and timing belt-does this sound like a fair price to you? I've never had this type of work done before. Thanks again...Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 25 Jul 2005, 11:36

volvo850-mike wrote:Thanks guys for the replies. I will be taking it to the Volvo dealer to fix my leaky, defective gas tank soon so I will have them check it out too while I'm there. If it does happen to be that crank seal, what could I expect to pay for it to get fixed? Also the dealer quoted me a rough estimate of 400.00 for a new water pump and timing belt-does this sound like a fair price to you? I've never had this type of work done before. Thanks again...Mike

That sounds about right. My local garage charged me about that or slightly more for the WP/TB replacement. They always suggest the TB since they have that area apart and the TB is accessible. If the TB doesn't have at least 60k miles on it, however, it may not need it.

Post by **matthew1** » 25 Jul 2005, 12:13

Very well could be your turbo oil return line. I fixed mine before I started this site, damnit, or else I'd have a full page how to on it with pictures.

Anyway, it's really easy, and costs a whopping $3 or so in parts. You need the gasket and the o-ring. Any dealer should have them.

It took me a good long while (and much concern) to discover where the problem was. I suggest doing dye like mentioned above or do what I did and do a wipe down ever day or two. Really eyeball the oil to trace where it's coming from.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=2692

slmacias · Post by **slmacias** » 16 Nov 2007, 13:58

My 95 855T has had this oil leak for a while.... the visible leak is in the front of the car probably from the intercooler. I took apart the intercooler hoses and found oil in side of them. Is this normal?

I think I should be considering changing the Turbo?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Nov 2007, 15:27

Some oil in the lines is normal. How does it spool up? If you're not getting the boost you should be getting and the oil is excessive then yeah, might be time for a rebuild.

slmacias · Post by **slmacias** » 16 Nov 2007, 16:29

The motor it self is not needing any oil, I am do for an oil change soon and the dip stick shows full of motor oil.

It is not an excessive amount of oil and none is leaking on the floor. 4 years ago Volvo dealer told me to change the Turbo and gave me quote for $2k. Never gone back.

As for the Turbo spooling up... well it is. and the car runs good... I guess.

Matter of fact just added the IPD MSD ignition coil, changed air filter and gained a few miles /hour