1998 v70 xc losing 2 quarts of oil a day...

rudy5 · Post by **rudy5** » 22 Oct 2012, 16:59

I have a 1998 v70 xc that suddenly started to lose oil, not just drips but oil sems to stream out of it. From underneath car, facing the front of the car, on the drivers side where engine block joins possibly the transfer case or some other separate componant..... Anyone know if this is probably rear main engine seal? Any help greatly appreciated!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Oct 2012, 18:42

Welcome to MVS,

I wish it was under better circumstances. The point where the engine meets the transmission, right in front of the angle gear is indeed the location of the rear main seal. Another potential oil leaker in that general area is the turbo oil return line. Loosing that much oil makes locating the actual source of the leak difficult.

If at all possible use engine de-greaser to clean up as much oil as you can at the self serve car wash ans try to actually locate the source of the leak. Getting to the oil return line is a bit of a bear on an XC but it can certainly be repaired cheaper than pulling the engine and installing a rear main seal.

Obviously, keep an eye on the oil level. When the car is loosing oil at the rate that yours is by the time the low oil pressure indicator light comes on it might be too late.

...Lee

Post by **rspi** » 22 Oct 2012, 18:46

Either that or a rear cam seal. See if you can see any oil near the distributor or cam sensor.

Post by **jblackburn** » 23 Oct 2012, 13:03

+1 on the cam seal; leaked all over the transmission on mine as well. So did the turbo oil line.

UNLESS it's coming from directly in between the hole between the transmission and engine block, the RMS is OK.

rudy5 · Post by **rudy5** » 26 Oct 2012, 11:34

jblackburn wrote:+1 on the cam seal; leaked all over the transmission on mine as well. So did the turbo oil line.

UNLESS it's coming from directly in between the hole between the transmission and engine block, the RMS is OK.

Thanks for everyone's responses! It didn't seem to be coming from anywhere near the distributor, so I asked my mechanic to check breather hoses for clogging, as well as turbo oil line, and if nothing is noticed at those sights, the rear main seal..... I'l let you know what is found! Thanks to all.....
rudy5

rudy5 · Post by **rudy5** » 26 Oct 2012, 11:34

jblackburn wrote:+1 on the cam seal; leaked all over the transmission on mine as well. So did the turbo oil line.

UNLESS it's coming from directly in between the hole between the transmission and engine block, the RMS is OK.

Thanks for everyone's responses! It didn't seem to be coming from anywhere near the distributor, so I asked my mechanic to check breather hoses for clogging, as well as turbo oil line, and if nothing is noticed at those sights, the rear main seal..... I'l let you know what is found! Thanks to all.....
rudy5

rswaty · Post by **rswaty** » 26 Oct 2012, 11:43

I second Lee's comments-I had the turbo cooler lines replaced as they were leaking, then a week later one of the new lines totally blew! Luckily I was driving slowly and saw the oil light immediately. It was amazing how much oil was pumped out in seconds!

Get the best oil lines you can.

Randy

rudy5 · Post by **rudy5** » 31 Oct 2012, 10:11

update.... My mechanic found my leak - it was the cam seal... thank goodness. He ended up cleaning out the breather lines and replacing the seal, so for $224.00 including parts and labor, I am once more "MOBILE!"
Thanks to all for now..... I'm sure I'll be having other issues -
Rudy

Post by **rspi** » 31 Oct 2012, 10:47

Which cam seal was leaking? The car has 4 of them.

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Oct 2012, 10:50

Sounds like the cam sensor one. It's almost ALWAYS the cam sensor one.

I guess that's what they re-designed them for 99. You very rarely hear about those newer ones blowing out.

Guess they had to get rid of their reputation of leaking oil everywhere. Thanks Volvo.