Brown Soot on Liftgate

wagnervolvo · Post by **wagnervolvo** » 26 Sep 2006, 10:39

I mentioned this in an aerlier posting, but I want to confirm it before I do any repairs. I have an 850 Turbo wagon with 270,000 miles and the Check Engine light is on. When I drive for a while without cleaning it, a layer of brown soot begins to build up on the back of the car. I thought it was just dust for a while, but a repair man said that it was oil.

Is this an indication that I need a new cat. converter, or could something else be going on here?

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » 26 Sep 2006, 10:52

I have had that problem when I bought mine (850, 2,4, 10V, non turbo, estate) some 8 years ago (second hand).
Problem was the main bushing (seal) between the engine and the automatic gearbox that was gone. At that time Vovo recognised it was a weak point of that car and they replaced it free. Hope you'll be as lucky as I was.

Dan

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » 26 Sep 2006, 11:04

By the way I forgot to say that if you have a chance to look under the car you will be able to see whether that oil comes from under the engine all the way to the rear of the car and sticks to the rear door due to turbulence.
If there is no sign of oil under the car it then most probably come from the tail exhaust pipe.
Does she consumes a lot of oil?

Dan

wagnervolvo · Post by **wagnervolvo** » 26 Sep 2006, 14:15

Yes, the car goes through an unbelieveable amount of oil. There is also a very bad leak which I haven't yet been able to trace. Are you suggesting that this might be related?

Are you also saying that the problem might not be the cat. after all? And if it is what you say, and I can't get it repaired for free (I doubt I will be able to since I am about the 5th owner and it has almost 300,000 miles), how much do you think that repair would cost.

Thanks for the advice

bjornfam · Post by **bjornfam** » 26 Sep 2006, 14:22

i had oil, grime on my back when my turbo return inlet was leakin, got it again now that one of my camshft seals isn't seated properly. but not soot. you'd better look more closely for leaks. could be a lot of things

wagnervolvo · Post by **wagnervolvo** » 26 Sep 2006, 14:50

Grime is probably a better word for it. And one of my Turbo hoses does have a hole in it, as a matter of fact. I'm about to replace it.

bjornfam · Post by **bjornfam** » 26 Sep 2006, 15:27

there are rubber hoses that go to the turbo, but i was referring to the metal oil-return pipe that puts oil back in the pan. You could check it for a leak on the back side of the engine, you won't be able to see it unless you are under the car. I'd guess you have multiple leaks with that kind of mileage. If it is that pipe, it is easily replaced. When mine leaked, it seemed to drip right on the exhaust pipe which made for great aromatherapy.

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 26 Sep 2006, 19:17

Sounds like your rear main seal on the engine needs replacing. Big job. When it leaks bad, oil gets blown all over the bottom of your car when your driving ,especially on the highway. It is oil and any dirt or dust will stick to it and probably is what you are describing on your gate

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » 27 Sep 2006, 00:50

Like bobsnow100 also suggests, the only way to make sure about that oil leak is to inspect the car underneath. I am pretty sure you will be able to locate the origin of the leak(s) that way.

Good luck and keep us posted

Dan

wagnervolvo · Post by **wagnervolvo** » 27 Sep 2006, 06:54

Thanks. I'll let you know when I know more.