'98 V70 -- Oil By Spark Plug Leads, etc.

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Dec 2014, 10:18

I know this is a popular subject around here. I just replaced my spark plugs after about 40K with OEM Volvo plugs (the only kind I use). The Bougicord plug wires are newish -- less than 50K miles and the cap and rotor have probably 30K+ on them and were not replaced.

When I removed the plastic engine cover, there was a lake of dark oil in all of the various casting depressions in the cam cover. I know it can be a fairly common condition, but I'd like to be rid of it. I spent some time cleaning it all out. I left the cover off and ran the car at idle for a bit to see if I could detect a leak anywhere. I did not see anything, but I only ran the car for about 5 min. The washer around the oil filler cap was recently replaced. Notwithstanding the PCV system having been done less than 60K ago, I still did the balloon test on the dipstick -- not inflation revealed.

I will admit to filling the oil by hand without a funnel from 5 quart jugs and suffering from the occasional drip, but this oil was definitely used and was more than just a spill from filling (I now fill with a funnel).

It is possible there is a slight leak from the PCV hose that goes into the cam cover at the clamp area and I will watch that. Any downside to running around for a bit without the plastic trim on the cam cover?

Also at idle I thought I started to hear the faintest bearing scratch coming from the aux. belt area. This is not a full fledged squeal yet, more of a scratchy sound. Could be an alternator bearing starting to go and I think the alternator may be original with around 284K miles on it. The timing components are all about 40K miles old so I don't suspect them and I always replace the waterpump on every t-belt change -- I know that could be overkill, but I prefer to view it as cheapish insurance.

Also, I am living on borrowed time with the mechanical side of the ignition. This is the second time the door chime continued to sound with the key out. I closed, locked and unlocked the doors with the master switch in the door and that silenced the door chime, but . . .

Any idea what the suspected bearing noise might be? I'll let my mechanic take a listen this week.

Post by **cn90** » 07 Dec 2014, 10:24

I leave the cosmetic cover off for good. I store it in the garage with the Torx bolts, should I ever sell the car and the next owner wants it. I doubt it. It is just a useless piece of plastic. Without the plastic cover, I can easily inspect the PCV hose, oil leak and wipe it. I can tell you that the oil you see is from spilling during oil top up.

Bearing noise, get a stethoscope but whatever you do: wear goggles and be very very careful when inserting the stethoscope in an engine that is running.

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Dec 2014, 10:46

Even though I am topping up with pristine Mobil 1 and the oil on top of the engine is considerably darker than that -- I mean, I know the engine gets hot when run, but enough to turn the oil that dark?

Post by **cn90** » 07 Dec 2014, 11:01

Yes,

Debris, dust from the road. The engine compartment is a very dusty environment.
Put a few drops of oil in some places, and check back a few months later.

Post by **jreed** » 08 Dec 2014, 05:01

You mentioned that the washer around the oil fill cap had recently been replaced. I've also found that the metal fingers inside the cap bend over time and don't apply sufficient force to seal the cap and washer. I bent the fingers down on my '97 a few years ago and that plus a new washer seemed to help stop the oil buildup.

Post by **E Showell** » 08 Dec 2014, 05:42

Thanks for the tip jreed. I do think that the "sealing" afforded by the existing cap in its current state is a bit lame. I'll try bending the tabs down a bit and see if that improves things.

Has anybody bit the bullet for an IPD billet cap and do they seal better, or are they just engine bay jewelry -- pricey for an oil filler cap, that's for sure.

P.S. I double checked in the engine compartment after a 20 minute drive this morning and the oil leakage is definitely coming from the filler cap and seal.

Post by **cn90** » 08 Dec 2014, 06:46

How old is the seal, Ire place my oil cap seal once every 2-3 years.

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Dec 2014, 07:29

On the bearing, run the car without the serp belt and see if the noise is still there. Will assure you its not in the timing path, which remove all urgency from the repair. I know you said the parts are newish but just to be sure.

Post by **E Showell** » 08 Dec 2014, 08:37

Seal is brand new. Usually replace them every other oil change.

Post by **E Showell** » 05 Jan 2015, 11:26

Finally ran this down. When he did my engine replacement, my mechanic lacked the proper size Oetiker clamp for the hose from the PCV system to the cam cover. Accordingly, he clamped it with a regular hose clamp. The hose clamp does not apply uniform pressure like the Oetiker clamp, but rather concentrates clamping force on one side of the hose. Over time, the hose clamp sawed through the rubber hose creating a small leak just above where the hose clamp was clamped on the hose. That was the source of the oily cam cover. I noticed it finally when I went to change spark plugs recently. It is now repaired. We cut the hose back to eliminate the tear and seated the trimmed hose with a proper Oetiker clamp.

I also replaced my made-in-China filler cap with a Volvo cap and seal. I now have an effective seal around the filler cap as well.