Massive Oil Leak, top of engine under plastic cover

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 11:14

Those are the bolts that hold down the cam cover.

Tighten them down and see if it makes a difference.

They should NOT be leaking - and it makes me think that maybe your cam cover was removed at some point and someone didn't put the anaerobic gasket on right. Happened to me.

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 20 Mar 2013, 11:19

I tightened them a little bit. I didn't want to risk over tightening, and still same result, air bubbles. even with the motor off, they air bubbles continue to pop out.

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

I noticed the oil leak, after i have been running full synthetic. I change the oil every 5k. running mobile 1 full synthetic.

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 11:23

Hmmmmm...I've not heard of this one before.

Makes me wonder if the PCV is venting totally through the cam cover.

Do you have smoke from the dipstick at idle if you pull out the dipstick?

If not, I might try some of the silicone RTV JDS60R advised me on the threads of the screws as I did on p.3 of the thread here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 7&start=28

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 20 Mar 2013, 11:59

jblackburn wrote:Hmmmmm...I've not heard of this one before.

Makes me wonder if the PCV is venting totally through the cam cover.

Do you have smoke from the dipstick at idle if you pull out the dipstick?

If not, I might try some of the silicone RTV JDS60R advised me on the threads of the screws as I did on p.3 of the thread here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 7&start=28

YES! lots of smoke from dipstick and oil cap!

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 12:00

Ah, maybe it's not as big of a deal as I thought.

PCV system replacement time. Please do it before you start blowing out seals.

See this link for the write-up:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28487

volvospeeds70 · Post by **volvospeeds70** » 20 Mar 2013, 12:27

jblackburn wrote:Ah, maybe it's not as big of a deal as I thought.

PCV system replacement time. Please do it before you start blowing out seals.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28487

thanks for the input. Sounds like a weekend project to me. Should I go ahead and change the oil now or later, or does it make a difference. Also, my local mechanic suggested I change the valve cover gasket, because of the oil leak, do you think thats why air bubbles are coming out?

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 13:21

Also, my local mechanic suggested I change the valve cover gasket, because of the oil leak, do you think thats why air bubbles are coming out?

It's possible, and I thought that was the problem at first several posts back.

HOWEVER - these cars don't have a normal "valve cover gasket". It's a painted on anaerobic sealant that's a massive PITA and will screw you over a barrel if you get it wrong.

Do the PCV first; see if this remains a problem. Make sure that you clean out the lower port from the oil separator into the oil pan very, very well.

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Mar 2013, 14:22

Mikealder, that post was so great that I split it off into its own post and will add it to the repair database.

You can find his reply/post here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=55413

Post by **mikealder** » 20 Mar 2013, 14:30

Glad you like it, it might also give the OP in this thread a few ideas and tips even though the engine in his car is slightly different, the main trick is to try blowing through the lower port to ensure it isn't blocked which isn't something I have seen on other PCV guides - Mike

Massive Oil Leak, top of engine under plastic cover

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