Does seal brand matter?

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:26

I am going to replace the cam seals on my 2001 S40. I bought seals from FCP and they are Elring. Will this be O.K., or do I jump down to the dealer for Volvo?

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:28

Elring seals are Volvo OEM and are excellent seals.

Post by **cn90** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:34

I am not sure about the Elring thingy being Volvo OEM.

I bought my Volvo stuff from this dealer, very good service, price is good and shipping is fast.
Unless you enjoy doing the job twice, then use Elring.

There is a BASIC RULE for any seal (cam, crank, transmission etc) in ANY car: Always use OEM, it may cost a few more bucks but the labor of installation is so much that a few bucks saving is not worth it.
Actually in all of these "seal" jobs, there is a lot of labor involved.

1. So always buy OEM seal.
2. Unless you know for fact that Volvo buys their seals from Elring, then buy Elring, but this takes some detective work to find out.
3. If the OEM seal is known to be of poor-quality (such as the BMW Vanos seals), then use the aftermarket seal.

I discussed the EXACT SAME ISSUE on Volvospeed, and there are the replies.
The bottom line is: Volvo OEM Seal only.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... ng-vs-oem/

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:49

Elring are not OEM. They don't fit well either.

Go genuine Volvo!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Mar 2011, 18:56

I am moving this thread to the appropriate forum but I must first chime in on experience from the 850s in my fleet. The Elring cam seals have worked just fine over the couple or three years they have been in my son's car. The Elring seals were a real BI-itch to insert on the transmission on one of them, I think it was the Platinum but I can't remember for sure. Once inserted they have not leaked - again for a couple-three years.

When I had the transmission out of the '94 to change the clutch it was nothing but blue box OEM for the RMS. It wasn't leaking but it was an opportune time to change it at over 235k miles.

...Lee

Post by **precopster** » 01 Apr 2011, 08:05

Scan Tech front cam seals do not fit (i bought some from eBay UK seller parts_monster)

When I sent an email to let him know of the problem no reply offered.

I ordered Elring from FCP Groton & while they slid straight in to my 960 (same front seals as 850) they lasted only around 20,000 miles and started leaking.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 01 Apr 2011, 08:40

This is crazy...upon your suggestion, wife went to Volvo this morning. Now, I was referring to the pulley side/ timing belt side as the REAR...The dealer said it is the FRONT...said it took 2 different seals. I think, and I will see when I get home, that he is wrong. I believe that the TB side has the SAME seals on both cams. My VVT is on the firewall side of the motor. Which is the exhaust/ which is the intake? I hope I don't get home to find she bought the wrong side of the engine...all I wanted to do is the TB side...

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Apr 2011, 08:44

Timing belt side is the "front" of the motor. I believe VVT models do have 2 different seals there; the older models like your 850 are the same.

The exhaust cam is at the firewall side of the engine.

The "rear" cam seals are behind the distributor and cam position sensor.