01 V70 Oil Leak

zero324 · Post by **zero324** » 09 Dec 2010, 07:29

My wife's 01 V70 non-turbo started to leak alot of oil about a week ago and from a quick look under the car it all seemed to be coming from the bottom of the oil filter housing so I thought that maybe some how it got cracked so today I did an oil change and cleaned up all the oil from under the car and frame. After about 10-15 min of the car running and not moving I noticed it was leaking the same amount but could see that it was not coming from the oil filter housing but above it somewhere.

After taking the timing cover off I may have found the leak. It seems like it's coming from either the crank or cam seal. I also notice oil coming from the bottom of the dipstick tube but i'm not sure if it's coming from there or the flame trap box above it. I guess one good thing about the leak is that I found that my water pump is leaking so I guess it's one good thing to find before it fails.

Has anyone had this happen before or have an Idea on where the leak could be coming from?

Here are some pictures of areas where the oil is.

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 09 Dec 2010, 09:10

seems like you have a PCV problem. Do a search to find out how to trouble shoot. Also it looks like there is no leek from the cams as the upper part of the block looked dry.

zero324 · Post by **zero324** » 09 Dec 2010, 22:31

Well I went thru troubleshooting a PCV problem. No smoke coming out the dipstick tube. I also tried also a small ballon on the dipstick tube and it acutally had suction to it. I also put my hand on where the oil filler cap would be and could feel suction there. I tried to get some better pictures around the the dipstick tube seal and around the PCV box since it's hard to see with the intake in the way. From what I can see there is alot of sludge and a bit of fresh oil which starts right at the very bottom of the PCV box but I could not see anything on the box itself. The sludge and oil goes from the dipstick tube all the way to the left side of the engine but only goes as high as the bottom of the PCV box. But all the oil that is leaking out is around the crank side and the corner near the dipstick side of the oil pan.

Also something I noticed today is that when the car is in gear and get's 2,300-2,500 rpm's you hear a rattleing noise but once it's in park it doesn't do it. I don't know if that is related or not.

Here is a better picture of the lower PCV box and dipstick tube seal area.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 10 Dec 2010, 07:24

if the pcv oil trap box has not been replaced ever, then its due with that kind of mileage.

Remove the intake manifold, replace PCV box and hoses, and clean the engine block with degreaser and you'll find the leak.

Post by **pkc303** » 19 Dec 2010, 09:58

Change the dipstick seal. It is a flat rubber o ring.

1foren · Post by **1foren** » 21 Dec 2010, 15:39

I know it sounds to good to be true but Have you checked the Filler Cap? Those seals get hard and leak!! Take the covers off and look there for oil. I have had it drip down from the sides.. Oil trap is a must!

zero324 · Post by **zero324** » 21 Dec 2010, 22:45

Well I finally got around to tearing everything out and found that the flame trap box was totally clogged up which caused the dipstick tube seal to blow out. I also went thru and changed my timing belt and water pump while I was at it but my crank and cam seals were fine luckily.

The only thing that I thought was weird when I pulled the flame trap box off I saw a white substance deep in the hoses. So I decided to cut the box in half and found the box filled with this white substance which scared me because it made me think I had a head gasket issue but when you look in the ports that the hoses connect to the inside of the engine they looked clean other than normal gunk buildup which I scraped out. I called my wifes uncle who works on Volvos and he said that when the box got clogged up and blew one of the hoses on the box that moisture got into the box causing it to turn white. I did notice the next day after I cut the box in half that the white substance turned back to black/brown.

So far I have had no more leaks and have also noticed that it idles alot smoother now with no fluctuation while sitting at a stop.

Here are some picture of the flame trap box, engine ports for the box and also the dipstick tube with a new seal installed and tested.