Recent sudden oil leak 1994 850 140k miles

Mike850 · Post by **Mike850** » 06 Feb 2007, 10:03

Yesterday when driving home from work, I saw my oil pressure warning light blink for a fraction of a second right when I got home. I parked my 1994 850 in the driveway and noticed about a half cup of oil dripped on the driveway under the passenger side. This has never happened before. I peered under the hood and noticed the frame on the passenger side covered in oil! No oil was present on the top of the engine. I added some oil and drove to work today. I will power spray it at the car wash to try to isolate where the leak is coming from. I have been using CASTROL, not synthetic.

In the meantime...any ideas to cause this sudden unexpected leak? Rear main seal? Flame trap? PCV?

I am an airline Engineer and I have also rebuilt three American small block V-8's so I am not mechanically illiterate. However this is my first Volvo and I'm having to learn about this unique piece of machinery.

Thank you in advance.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Feb 2007, 16:12

Mike,

I've been thinking on this all day and I am hard pressed to give you guidance beyond what you have suggested in cleaning the motor up and looking for the source. The good news is that I doubt it is a rear main seal since that should drip on the drivers side. I haven't heard of many failures of the front main seal and a bad camshaft seal usually doesn't leak as badly as you describe your leak.

The PCV system does have lines on that side of the engine so that could well be your problem.

I'm as perplexed as you are so let us know what you find.

...Lee

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Feb 2007, 16:23

I answered your email, but you sure it's not a broken outer CV boot that threw grease (not oil) all up under and against that side of the frame? They do make a mess. Just in case, check your boot there to see if it's not torn. Should have thrown grease all over your wheel too.

larryh · Post by **larryh** » 06 Feb 2007, 18:59

1/2 cup!! should be real easy to find once you clean it up. i'm tinking turbo return line...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Feb 2007, 19:39

larryh wrote:1/2 cup!! should be real easy to find once you clean it up. i'm tinking turbo return line...

Actually, me too.

Mike850 · Post by **Mike850** » 21 Feb 2007, 14:01

I have discovered that the cause of my oil leak on the passenger side is oil coming from the hose that plugs into the top of the head right next to sparkplug boot number two and also next to the oil filler cap. (Is that a pcv hose?) That hose is oily inside and oil is filling in those valleys on top of the head which then flows over the side and underneath the plastic timing cover and dripping onto the ground. I removed the plastic timing cover and no oil is on the belt. The belt looks almost new.

I have searched but haven't been able to find a real dedicated forum or site that gives clear instructions on how to service/clean your pcv system. I find bits and pieces. I did service the flametrap. But I need to know if that oily hose going into the head is the result of that black box (oil trap) that is clogged and needs replacing or not. Since the box, hoses ect. are all "genuine Volvo" from fcpgroton, you pay a price premium and I don't want to buy what I don't need. If I can clean it with solvents and air compressor, fine. But I need to know at what point do you just replace? Thank you!

greasefingerss · Post by **greasefingerss** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:08

Go here first: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=8220
Then here to fix it: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=29650

Mike850 · Post by **Mike850** » 21 Feb 2007, 15:16

Thanks. Thse two forums you just gave me are exactly the ones I already saved and printed. The one with pictures doesn't say much.

What I'm actually looking for is something that might indicate if you need to replace that oil trap or not, and general instructions on the different lines that could be clogged and the proper way to unclog them. I did order a new oil trap and some other pcv parts from fcp groton today. I also had sense enough to order an intake gasket because it looks like the intake manifold has to be removed to get to and replace the oil trap box thing.

Thanks for your help!

jofinneg · Post by **jofinneg** » 22 Feb 2007, 19:20

Mike850 wrote:I have discovered that the cause of my oil leak on the passenger side is oil coming from the hose that plugs into the top of the head right next to sparkplug boot number two and also next to the oil filler cap. (Is that a pcv hose?) That hose is oily inside and oil is filling in those valleys on top of the head which then flows over the side and underneath the plastic timing cover and dripping onto the ground.

Hello, first-time poster and Volvo owner,
I have this exact issue on the 1995 850 wagon I just bought. The oil has filled all of the valleys under the cover. I'm sure it has been discussed previously here, but I can't seem to find anything.
Could someone point me in the right direction in diagnosing this problem?
Thank you very much,
John

greasefingerss · Post by **greasefingerss** » 22 Feb 2007, 20:01

Your blow-by gases are moving in the wrong direction.

I would start with the flame trap since this is the source of the vacuum needed to remove these gases. If that is not the problem then replace the entire PVC/oil trap system. Note that this requires a lot of little pieces and is time consuming.

Do a search or go to the two links provided in a previous post