PCV and head gasket questions - 98 S70 GLT

[canyoudig_it]

I finally have my misfiring problem resolved. Finally. The culprit was my fuel pump after everything I replaced, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil, and MAF. The pump I bought was from this ebay seller. The pump fit and works fine, they did however provide me with the wrong wire harness, it was meant to plug into the existing on from the old pump, instead they were the same connector. I just cut off the old connector, crimped some flat tips to the wires and plugged into the new harness. I brought the issue up to the seller, they were kind enough refund me the full amount.

Now my PCV and head gasket concerns. I plan on buying these replacement kits with my tax return. I have some questions about the PCV kit from FCP. I have read that I do not want Euro parts for this, I want Volvo OEM parts. Does FCP offer this? I doesn't say what brand they are on the site. What I need to know is where to get the correct kit from.

Head gaskets, these will be exposed during a PCV install, correct? I figured if so, I may as well go ahead to knock that out while I can. I do have some oil leaks, I do not know where for sure, but thought putting new head gaskets on would be a good place to start.

Back to PCV, I have a question. With my hood popped, and car running for a while, I notice some fait exhaust or burn off coming from underneath my throttle cable (in that general area). When I pull out my dipstick, I of course have exhaust coming from there, but it seems to cease from coming underneath my throttle cable. Is that definitely a PCV clog? Or should I be checking for something else?

So PCV and head gaskets are my next project for my car. After that will be suspension, which is just awful right now. Unless someone convinces my suspension is more important, though I think engine care may be a higher priority here.

I also want to thank everyone for the help and links they have provided for me thus far. I have neglected to go back and post in older threads as to not and bump them to the top unnecessarily, but everyone here has been a great help in resolving my problems and I cannot thank you all enough. Today is the first time in over a year that my car has run this well, it feels amazing to have all the power back.

[rmmagow]

If you are not having head gasket issues, water in oil, oil in water etc you don't need or want to mess with it. The PCV install will only need a new intake manifold gasket. There are write ups about the parts for the PCV job, best to stick with all volvo parts or I think cn90 wrote up a method to use 3/8 heater hose (or similar) to replace the fragile original stuff.

[canyoudig_it]

I don't do my own oil changes, so I don't know if there is water in the oil. When I check the dip stick, it seems to be just oil there. Something that has been concerning me a bit about my oil levels though. After a long drive sometimes I will check my oil level and stick will be bone dry. If I add half a quart and check a few miles later, it is well over the full line on the stick. Am I really adding too much oil (1/2 a quart when the stick is dry) or is there a cause for this?

[rspi]

(I think I should just go to bed).

First off, the head gasket is 1/2 way between the motor and the PCV doesn't even come close to the head gasket job. The only reason you should pull a head off the block is if you have a bad valve (burnt) or the head gasket is leaking. If you don't do your own oil changes you'd be better off buying a brand new car before you think you'll dive into a head gasket job.

The PCV, there are plenty of write-up's about that. The one Justin did is wonderful. If you have any questions as to "if" the PCV has issues, IT DOES. The 3 things I tell people that they had better take care of on these cars (3 things that will send one to the grave quicker that spit can hit the ground) is: Timing Belt - PCV - Coolant Leaks. So, if you are not 100% sure that your PCV system is in good shape and has been REPLACED within the past 5 years / 50,000 miles, you should REPLACE it. A clogged PCV can force oil out of all kinds of engine/vacuum areas. You can also have a leak at the exhaust cam seal.

FCP can ship you an OEM Volvo kit, just call and ask them. I just got one from them and replaced the system on an S70.

OIl Levels: Should only be done after the motor has been off for at least 5 minutes. You are never suppose to check the oil with the car running or right after you turned the car off. There should never be a time when you don't have oil on the stick. If there is NO oil on the stick you are at least 1-1/2 quart low. Do you know how to read the stick? Do you have an owners manual?
http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... tml#pg8.10