Need '98 V70 advice. Should I invest more in this car?

jphelps · Post by **jphelps** » 11 Jun 2011, 14:08

OK. I have a 98 V70 with 220,000. I just posted about my rear seals blowing one after another. I suspected worn piston rings so I just did a compression test. I got 110 give or take across the board. I would do a wet test but the hose blew on me. Could the poor compression be blowing seals.

My question is this- Should I invest anymore in this car? I just bought radiator hoses, a distributor cap and rotor and plugs and plug wires and tie rods. It seems to me this engine is on its way out.

I've taken good care of it- always mobil one synthetic. I bought it at 160,000 so the previous owners had plenty of miles to abuse it.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 11 Jun 2011, 14:12

It sounds like it has a clogged up PCV system, which would explain the blown engine seals. Also, 110 PSI of compression is low. It would be around 150 - 160 across the board. If I were you, I would return the parts you brought for the car and spend in on another, much newer Volvo. The best thing to do with this car is to part it out IMO or sell it for cheap.

Post by **pkc303** » 11 Jun 2011, 14:12

The seals you describe are easy to replace and cost about 7 bucks each. I'd replace them, and enjoy the car. I would check the oil trap, and make sure that hole was clear.

I bought mine at 198,000, and love it. Keep working on it to make it better.

jphelps · Post by **jphelps** » 11 Jun 2011, 14:31

The PCV system is good. I replaced it 30,000 miles ago. When the first seal went the PCV system was the first thing I checked. There was no positive pressure coming out of the dipstick.

Does a dry compression of 110 pretty much mean the engine is done for?

Wharf Rat McLean · Post by **Wharf Rat McLean** » 11 Jun 2011, 15:13

If the engine had good power and wasn't making any bad noises or smoking out the tailpipe or oil fill cap with it off (blow by) I would say it has plenty of time and run it. your gauge maybe off, seems they are nice and even. when reinstalling your seal use some brake cleaner and dry the area where the seal sits in use a little permatex gasket sealer on the outside edge of the seal and grease the inside lip. This will hold the seal inplace even if you are building a little crankcase presure. Good luck.

jphelps · Post by **jphelps** » 12 Jun 2011, 11:16

Smoke does come out the oil filler with the cap off, after it has been running. I thought this was normal.

Post by **JRL** » 12 Jun 2011, 11:46

jphelps wrote:Smoke does come out the oil filler with the cap off, after it has been running. I thought this was normal.

Nope

jphelps · Post by **jphelps** » 12 Jun 2011, 13:08

OK. I just tried this on my moms car (volvo 850) and it does the exact same thing. So both of our engines are bad or this isn't correct. So I run the car until warm and shut it off. I remove the oil filler cap and no fumes/smoke should come out. Is this correct?

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 12 Jun 2011, 13:16

Removing the oil filler cap does nothing for you. If the engine is hot, it will let off a little smoke which is normal. What you do not want to see is smoke coming from the dipstick hole. BTW, don't run the engine with the filler cap off, unless you like to get oil splashed all over.

If this is a non-turbo, make sure the PCV screen has been tossed and the small vacuum line is clear.
If this is a turbo, clean the PTC.

Wharf Rat McLean · Post by **Wharf Rat McLean** » 12 Jun 2011, 15:20

I should have said a little smoke is ok, It's not if it's blue and alot. I think your going to be ok