1996 850 Wagon Oil Everywhere Underneath, Very Rough Idle

[cn90]

For PCV, there are 2 threads: one by "jblackburn". I did another DIY using 5/8-inch hose.

Best is to inspect, take photos and post them here.
Right now, it is all guess work...

[dosbricks]

So, assuming we inspect it and find that it is the PCV system, where is the best write up on
how to do the job?
And where do we get the best kit with original long lasting parts?

As cn90 says, inspect first for a loose oil filter or the PCV hose to the top of the engine split or leaking oil under the spark plug cover. Find out where the oil is coming from. It's hard to see all the lower hoses of the PCV system because they are under the intake manifold, so you don't want to undertake this unless you determine it is the source of the leak. if it is, here is a DIY:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=28487
Being an NA makes it a much more simple job than on a turbo--less stuff to deal with.

FCP Milford, CT is your best source of parts at a decent price. Good luck.

[dosbricks]

Does it have an oil line going to the radiator? I know the turbos have them, not sure about the NA.

No oil cooler lines to the rad on an NA.

[PeteB]

Thanks everyone, he says that it runs very poorly, chugs at idle and no power.
I just want to help him find the problem.

If it is the PCV, are there lines he can just plug them so that he can drive it 50 miles to me?

I'll look over the links for PCV, thanks again everyone!

[dosbricks]

Thanks everyone, he says that it runs very poorly, chugs at idle and no power.

If it is the PCV, are there lines he can just plug them so that he can drive it 50 miles to me?

You are asking what has to be determined there. He needs to find out where it's loosing oil. Take off the spark plug cover (T30 in tool kit that came with the car)--see if the plugs are soaked in oil which could cause the performance issues. Report how low the oil is in the crankcase so you have some idea of the rate of loss.

[PeteB]

Oil was at the bottom of the stick and he put in one more quart at the gas station
He will check the spark plugs tomorrow, thanks.

[xHeart]

What oil and filter (very important) was used during the last service? Is the engine overheating too?
Start with oil and filter change if past due.

And do this too before taking a 50 miles journey -- take your time:
1. look carefully for oil leak while it sits after the oil and filter change
2. look carefully for oil leak, check oil level at dipstick while it idles to warm up for 5 - 10 min
3. go for a drive, look carefully for oil leak, check oil level frequently every few miles

... then tells us again.

Enjoy the holiday time too.

[PeteB]

I'm not following here, why would the type of oil be important?
We used Valvolene High Mileage 10W-30 and a NAPA Gold filter.

It won't start now, it just chugs.
My son was not able to get the spark plug cover off, he said that the
bolts were seized, it is possible that he was just a bit nervous about
doing it. We have to get it running first obviously.
I will try to go soon and take the cover off, but if I can clean up the plugs
and patch it up just to drive it 50 miles home I'd like to do that.

I looked over those threads and videos on how to do this job and I'd want
to tow it home because it is too complicated to do it there, if we can't
limp it home.

[PeteB]

I am thinking of buying the PCV kit and just returning it if the problem is something else,
but there are two:
850NA96 $240 ish at FCP
850T300 The headline at FCP says that this fits also, but the details say 97 and 98

I'm guessing that is wrong and only the 850NA96 will fit or can the 96 be upgraded with the
newer kit? Also the second one has a T in the number, is that for turbo which this is not?

[dosbricks]

I messed up. See below.