Testing Positive for PCV blockage; want to warm to the task.

[plumsmooth]

Felt sick driving the Volvo home yesterday; after mechanic refused to budge on the grand tune up in effort to solve the non-start that became a leaking Intake Camshaft Seal.

However, I am a little sensitive to certain fumes; although I grew up in NYC and was a Bicycle Messenger in my late teens to early 20's.

Some of the oil may be burning off from the area around the Intake Cam Seal.
But I see oil around the corner of the Exhaust Cam Seal and on the sensor, and that seems a bit far for the Oil to migrate from the Intake Cam Seal.

I think I should wash off the oil so I can determine if there is also a leak at the Exhaust Cam Seal.

I also think this would be a good warm up job in preparation for the Full PCV Replacement?
Maybe even if it is not necessary I could attempt to disassemble to get to both the rear cam seals and re-asemble...

IS there a recommended way to clean off oil from around the engine?

BTW, I smell not only Oil Burning but Fumes now in the Cabin especially on start up...
However I raised my dipstick to protect and am wondering how much coming from there.

Mechanic removed my rag covered raised Dip Stick to test drive even after I asked him not to.
I want to identify the location of the RMS but have yet to do so...
Google images were weak at best...
Pardon my naiveté.
I am going to lay fresh snow down when I park and am paranoid and want to have a clear line to follow from the ground when oil leaks...

I read that Exhaust smell in cabin is also a symptom of PCV blockage but am trying to understand why?

I have to admit within a week after Synthetic Oil change I noticed extra Exhaust smell in cabin on start up?

I am wondering if I could remove the Dipstick and attach a hose to the port and run it down under and slightly away if indeed that is part of the smell source.

I'm scared to drive without the raised dipstick.

The glove partially inflated and then fully inflated after pushing down the dipstick.

The [not mine anymore] mechanic said that he's worked on Volvos for 30 years and never seen that test.
Originally he said he blew though my hoses and that the Dipstick would "pop up" if there was enough pressure?

His final words after I showed him the Oil around the Exhaust Cam Seal and explained to him that I was going to replace the PCV system myself were:

I wouldn't spend to much time restoring this vehicle

Can you believe that: After all the money over the years he has taken from me, the first time I mention doing an intermediate job like this myself, this is what he says?

Actually that makes me want to do it more!

[cn90]

Search forum for Purple Cleaner and Warm water, but make sure you ziploc all potential entries (dipstick housing, ATF dipstick etc.).
Also remove the cosmetic cover and avoid water at spark plug boot areas.

Anyway, people already posted in your other threads that go to 5 pages...

The private matter between you and your mechanic is another story.

[tryingbe]

Self help car wash and blast away.

[E Showell]

I wouldn't do the cam seals before you fix the PCV, that's just begging to have the newly-installed cam seals blown out by positive crankcase pressure. A bit like putting the cart before the horse.

Tackle the PCV this weekend if you can. If you've never done it before, figure on six hours.

See Robert's post below re: time -- a much more reasonable estimate of 2.5 hrs. My significantly longer estimate takes into account a complete lack of previous mechanical experience, frequent breaks to check instructions, needing to run out to buy any critical tools mid-project and dropping manifold bolts several times and having to retrieve them.

[plumsmooth]

Self help car wash and blast away.

I didn't realize it was O.K. to blast water into the engine under the hood like that.

IS there a temperature minimum to perform this cleaning? i.e. 30+

That would really help me figure out my current OIL leakage and stop me from being sick with the burning off oil -- with the exception of Exhaust fumes I am currently smelling, some of which could be coming from a loose wagon hatch...

However since possible PCV full block I may be smelling fumes in cabin on start up...?

[tryingbe]

No idea, I live in AZ. I washed my Volvo engine bay at least 3 times with no ill result.

[rspi]

Don't even worry about oil leaks until you replace the PCV. I replaced one a few weeks ago, took me a little more than 2 hours. Yesterday took 2-1/2 hours.

[rspi]

[rspi]

The awful smell you are dealing with is oil getting on the exhaust and burning. Oil will blow around and track around to all kinds of parts and areas.

[mika]

here is what I did (yesterday) until I can do PCV:

instead of blowing off pressure elsewhere (like a seal)....I got 3 feet of heater (5/8) hose, and took dipstick out, and put the hose over the dipstick tube and clamped it down. The heater hose got routed toward the ground/bottom, so the fumes dont get sucked into vent.

easiest PCV hack that works.