2003 XC70 Where's my oil going?

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 28 Apr 2014, 14:41

160-170K miles.

This winter the car started consuming about 1-1.5 quarts of oil per month. No leaks, no funny emissions...I seem to have positive crank case pressure. Anything with that oil system to review/blame or most likely just just getting consumed?

Car has always been a bit clacky like diesel but runs well. 5W40 synth every 10K miles (I drive 30K freeway a year).

Post by **vtl** » 30 Apr 2014, 21:39

Positive pressure? Replace PCV ASAP! Clogged PCV is a known source of heavy oil consumption (and zillion other problems).

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 01 May 2014, 09:18

VTI,

Thanks for the comments. Since my original post I've done a lot more research and I see that "positive" is bad. I put a rubber glove (ziptied) over the oil filler and at idle it slowly fills up...and at 2000rpm it's quite pressurized. From what I read there are two systems that come into play at idle and rpm/boost and it appears both are failing.

My current priority is the timing belt so I'm a bit low on funds considering everyone wants close to $400 for the "kit" (for a bunch of plastic parts!).

Has anyone had success taking everything apart, cleaning it well, dunking things in a parts tank...an putting it back together? I'm still researching where any valves are that need replaced but it appears to just be the oil box and tubes with orifces that need cleaned.

Post by **vtl** » 01 May 2014, 09:25

Many of us did PCV. This may take a whole weekend to do for the first time, but is doable by average DIYer.

PCV is almost as important as T-belt. If not replaced in time, it may cause quite a lot of damage to engine.

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 01 May 2014, 09:31

Do you mean "many of us did" just cleaning or replacing everything?

I can see how positive crank pressure can push out main and cam seals and I'll assume that oil is loading up the catalytic too.

I see cheaper options for the kits...maybe you can offer some oppinion. Over priced IPD wants close to $400 for a very complete looking kit and I see

$265.00 from respected FCP http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-p ... 70-v70t700
$90.00 here with less parts: http://store.voluparts.com/03-volvo-xc70-pcv-kit/

How lean can i go on parts and replace the rest?

i'm thinking I can do it in the 4-6 hours everyone is talking about. I've had the throttle off before and know how to pull power steering/AC bracket (loosen) if needed for that one bolt. I'm thinking pulling the fan may help too. Seems most pull the intake but I see some guys saying they did it w/o but I'm sure knowing the system and where to feel would make that easier.

I"m very intrerested in your input on what kit would be enough and cleaning anything else.

PS. I"m way over due for my belt as I have no history if this car was done at 105K and I'm at about 160K (ouch!).

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 01 May 2014, 09:46

Added Note: It appears that the two kits (inexpensive) simply omit this big and pricey hose:

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Number/O ... 71A50.aspx

Is the old one going to break or is it just best practice to get a clean new one...that's a lot of jack for hose!

Post by **vtl** » 01 May 2014, 10:43

carboncow wrote:Do you mean "many of us did" just cleaning or replacing everything?

Replacing.

How lean can i go on parts and replace the rest?

You can try cheaper one.

i'm thinking I can do it in the 4-6 hours everyone is talking about. I've had the throttle off before and know how to pull power steering/AC bracket (loosen) if needed for that one bolt. I'm thinking pulling the fan may help too. Seems most pull the intake but I see some guys saying they did it w/o but I'm sure knowing the system and where to feel would make that easier.

It will be 10x simpler for sure. I spent Friday evening and whole Saturday.

carboncow · Post by **carboncow** » 01 May 2014, 10:47

awesome...great info. thanks for your time. If I can run with the cheaper kit then I can order my timing kit too.

Just to highjack my own thread...I'm going to pull the top timing cover and see how my cam seals are (being all that positive pressure) but do most people do their cam and intermediate seals when they do timing/water pump or only when leaking?

Post by **vtl** » 01 May 2014, 10:54

Seals in these 5-cyl engines are very reliable. They only leak oil if pushed out by a positive pressure.

Post by **GBS** » 02 May 2014, 07:48

I did this not long ago on my 03 XC70, it was about half day with a buddy. The biggest mistake I made was to think I could do it without draining fluid and removing the thermostat to get the manifold off, it was completely necessary and no way around it so should have just started with that.

I think this job would be RELLY difficult without removing the manifold, there are great instructions on how to do this. the thermostat was different on my car and I thought I'd make a shortcut. I replacd it with IPD kit, it sure has everything and might be overkill but given how dug in this thing is and how many miles mine lasted (180 k) I went with full new.

I did mine because the front seals are leaking, they are still leaking and I've heard that some say they dont "go back" if damaged so my next big job is to do seals and maybe even just do the timing belt since I'm in there. The PVC job was a lot of removal but very cool to get it all apart and together, just wish I hadnt tried the shortcut of partially removing the thermostat, just drain all and remove.

Cheers!