Massive Oil Leak, top of engine under plastic cover

Post by **cn90** » 18 Mar 2013, 11:02

Best is to de-grease the area.
I use Purple Power, a few $ auto parts store.
Then rinse with gentle amount of warm water.
Then monitor the leak.

BTW, do not pour water down the spark plug areas, it will go down below the spark plug boot areas, causing misfire. For the area above valve cover, just clean it with a rag.

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 18 Mar 2013, 17:56

I will clean the motor and monitor leak, thanks cn90. Also, I got a new oil cap the old one was in bad shape. i noticed a "channel" where the oil could have run down the side of the motor and then to the ground. I will observe that as well. thanks again!

timmyc · Post by **timmyc** » 18 Mar 2013, 22:03

Like Mike says, take a look at that "port' between cylinder 2 and 3. I just had to deal with that leak and it was really messy. The amount of oil looks like what was happening with mine, but from the picture it (the port) looks clear. Definitely use a rag and clean the oil then monitor with the cover off.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Mar 2013, 07:14

Port looks clear on his car.

That PCV hose is to blame if the oil cap is not the culprit.\

I had all kinds of oil leaks that stemmed from a shop removing the valve cover and HORRIBLY re-sealing it.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=44667

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 19 Mar 2013, 07:53

Those pictures bring back not so good memories of a year or so ago. Oil cap was bad, PCV system was plugged, PTC was plugged, rear cam seal was sort of there, just not doing anything. If you have the time, you can same a lot of money doing it yourself. As mentioned, if you are not sure on the timing belt and other items in that area, they do need looking after.
It may look like a mess now, but I have had no leaks in that area for a long, many of miles.
Shane

Post by **rspi** » 19 Mar 2013, 07:57

I see oil on top of the motors of these cars all the time. The primary cause is a blocked/clogged PCV system. If you don't know the history of the PCV system, it's past due replacement. Replace the PCV and oil cap seal and go from there.

In that last picture I see that part of the spark plug cover is broken and stuck to the cam cover. LOL

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 20 Mar 2013, 07:55

replacing the oil didn't help. oil continues to leak. lifted the car up on the lift, and its leaking from the top of the motor, right under the air intake hose(metal pipe). I even tightened up the bolts on the top of the motor, taking the plastic cover off, and still didn't help. I'm wondering if the oil on top of motor has anything to do with the leak dripping over night.

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 07:57

It just drains from the top of the head in that back corner over the turbo. I believe the oil is pooling from somewhere on top and then running off.

There's an oil port at the back of the engine though - if you clean all the oil up, run it a few miles, and THEN see that leaking, that's another problem altogether.

Post by **98T5** » 20 Mar 2013, 08:15

When was the last time you changed the oil??

and that's not a massive oil leak, just drippage from a bad cap seal dripping back down into the valley under the spark plug cover. it's normal. wipe it off real good ,change plugs if needed, and CHANGE THE OIL!!!

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 20 Mar 2013, 11:12

i figured out the problem!! the 10mm bolts,around each spark plug, are the culprit! i started the car and voila! air bubbles seaping out where oil puddles are. I'm guessing that's where oil comes out too. (hopefully). any idea what they are called? I can post a video if anyone wants to see it.

Massive Oil Leak, top of engine under plastic cover

Re: Massive Oil Leak, top of engine under plastic cover