Login Register

99' S80 T6 Cam Seal Replacement/ Oil Leak Repair,Timing,PCV

Everything on the Volvo S80. Sometimes called an "executive car", the S80 was Volvo's top-of-the-line passenger car. P2 platform.
This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » S80 T6 Cam Seal Replacement — Oil Leak Repair, Timing, PCV
Post Reply
kahl
Posts: 943
Joined: 27 October 2012
Year and Model: 2000V70XC
Location: columbus ohio
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: 99' S80 T6 Cam Seal Replacement/ Oil Leak Repair,Timing,

Post by kahl »

thank you Zach for a well written post. I have to do these tasks on my 2000. I hope you can help me with some clarity on the camshaft sprocket closest to the cabin. kind of vapor locking on removal and replace.

I get it when the timing belt is removed the sprocket will settle in a relaxed position. the spring looses tension and relaxes. When you remove the center outer bolt the pulley will rotate counter clockwise as the outer center bolt is removed. when the outer bolt is removed will the sprocket spring back to the relaxed position?

Any idea why the rear camshafts do not perfectly line up with each other? It look that yours were out of alignment by 2 or 3 degrees.

thank you again for sharing this repair.

Stew

Riba
Posts: 66
Joined: 28 December 2013
Year and Model: S80 T6 1999
Location: Kuwait

Post by Riba »

treestone27 wrote:Zach, thanks for the write up! A question - if the cam seals are leaking on my 2000 s80t6, will replacing the pcv buy me time on the cam seals, or are they blown for good? I've replaced the PCV, and I'm about done replacing the cvvt solenoid (and I'll likely replace the mass air sensor) - then the codes I'm getting should be fixed. But, i'm hoping to run the car for a bit before having the shop replace the cam seals as I'm not sure I'm ready for that one. Thanks!
I will chime in as I need to do the above as well. In order to stop the leak you need to push the seal back in which means you need to remove the sprocket, which also means that since you are already that far in you may as well put a new seal. Just replacing PCV will not stop the leak.

treestone27
Posts: 26
Joined: 26 April 2014
Year and Model: s80t6 2000
Location: United States

Post by treestone27 »

ok, good to know. as long as there's sufficient oil in the car, will i damage the car by not fixing the cam seal right away? I was wondering if fixing the PCV would reduce the leak because I should no longer have back pressure once the PCV was fixed so that there would be less pressure pushing the oil out (I'm not sure really understand how the PCV problematic back pressure impacts the cam seal leak, but I read on the forum where that could be the cause of the cam seal leak). So, even though the cam seals need to be pushed back, I was hoping there would be less of a leak b/c of the fix to the PCV.

Riba
Posts: 66
Joined: 28 December 2013
Year and Model: S80 T6 1999
Location: Kuwait

Post by Riba »

If you check the oil level regularly you will be ok. At the moment it is a pain for me as I can't leave the car parked in front of the house as it leaves nasty stains wherever I park.
I don't think that fixing the PCV will reduce the leak. The pressure pushed the seal out, I don't think it has much effect on how much oil is leaking out, although I am also hoping it may have at least some effect as I am planning to fix the PCV first and then tackle the seal later on.
I have read that the oil leak might damage the timing belt causing it to slip or fail early, but from what I can see none of the oil ends up on the belt itself. What bothers me more is that the oil leaks all over the hot exhaust manifold causing the smelly and probably not very healthy fumes to enter the cabin through the ventilation system.

treestone27
Posts: 26
Joined: 26 April 2014
Year and Model: s80t6 2000
Location: United States

Post by treestone27 »

i may be lucky (knock on wood) as i don't think i'm leaking that bad. a spot or two of oil hits the ground, but the underside reveals the leak has been going on for a while. i'm debating just diving into the seals now before putting the car back together, but i want to confirm the money i've already put in the car is worth it and the codes are gone and the RPMs are stable. Then, i'll feel better about doing the seals or paying someone to do the seals. I'm going to study this post a bit more and see if i'm up for the challenge. I'll keep you updated.....good luck with your car!

Riba
Posts: 66
Joined: 28 December 2013
Year and Model: S80 T6 1999
Location: Kuwait

Post by Riba »

I am planning to tackle mine in about three weeks, I will share my experience....depending on the outcome it may help you feel better about it or worse. :)

ingydrummer
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 February 2014
Year and Model: 1996 960 2002 s80
Location: Pennslyvania

Post by ingydrummer »

I would like to ask a question about this excellent write-up. I have a 2002 S80 with the 2.9 engine. Would the process bee the same as the 99 engine? Thanks
1996 960 2.9
2002 S80 2.9 FWD
2008 XC90 3.2 AWD
2010 XC60 T6 AWD

xHeart
Posts: 3306
Joined: 3 December 2011
Year and Model: 2.0/3.2
Location: Great Lakes - USA
Has thanked: 113 times
Been thanked: 115 times

Post by xHeart »

ingydrummer wrote:I would like to ask a question about this excellent write-up. I have a 2002 S80 with the 2.9 engine. Would the process bee the same as the 99 engine? Thanks
Very close!
Look through this forum https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=9 for relative info.
--
Golden-German Shepherd | 2021 XC90 T6 INSCRIPTION (Nexa) | 2020 V60CC (Frska) | 2013A XC90 (Lktra)
Past: Golden Retriever | 2001 V70XC | 1997 Volvo 854 | 1989 Volvo 740 GL | 1979 Volvo 240

divinedavis
Posts: 16
Joined: 14 June 2014
Year and Model: S80 2002
Location: United States

Post by divinedavis »

This is great.

russloyd
Posts: 10
Joined: 11 November 2014
Year and Model: V70 '99
Location: Pittsburgh

Post by russloyd »

Great post. Thank you!
I have a 2 part question. I have a '99 v70 Base (160K miles). I have a bad oil leak that appears to be form the front cam seals. This would be a result of the PCV having never been replaced. I replaced the PCV system this weekend and while it did not stop the leak, it did lessen the leak (which was pretty bad.) So now I am onto replacing the front cam seals.

My first question is regarding the cam lock tool and whether it is needed...I have seen a good deal of chatter around the web about how the cam lock tool is not needed because you have marked the cam positions with white out, etc. simply realigning the cams when reassembling them would be redundant. BUT you need to break the bolt free in order to get the wheel off (seal side of engine). Thoughts on this? I have read conflicting accounts.
Can I have a second person hold each individual cam (on the right side of the engine) while the bolt is broken free to remove the wheel (left side of the engine - seal location)?

second question - Are there any other relatively in expensive things I can replace while I am in on that left side of the engine that fall under the regular service suggestions? I have already replaced my timing belt about 20K ago when I replaced the alternator.

Thanks to all the pros who post to and manage this forum.
Cheers.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post