Massive Oil Leaks 1998 V70-XC AWD

[Sommerfeldt]

...is now back pedaling and saying he isn't sure it's the cam seal but he will have to dismantle everything to find out...

Christ, don't let him do that.
If you have the time and want to tackle this yourself, give the engine a good cleaning and then observe where the oil is coming from. The PCV test is vital, as others have noted - changing seals w/o a working PCV system will cause you nothing but grief. Those 3 jobs are all pretty grateful DIYs. Dirk's tip is bound to be solid, though, if you don't want to try them yourself.

- S

[Scratchy2000]

UPDATE: I took it elsewhere and the new guy confirms the engine cooler line leak but says the 2nd oil leak is the rear transmission seal. He quoted me $1600 which probably means it's time for me to put the car to pasture UNLESS anyone has better ideas!

[Scratchy2000]

What about Blue Devil Rear Main Sealer?

[tryingbe]

rear transmission seal??

Get a picture of the location.

[Sommerfeldt]

rear transmission seal??

Get a picture of the location.

Yeah, do this. That's definitely a better idea.

- S

[scot850]

No idea what a rear transmission seal is on an XC? There is the front seal in the bell housing area between the engine and the transmission, there are the 2 axle seals, and then there is a seal between the trans and the angle gear, and then the rear angle gear output seal to the prop-shaft.

That last one is a $1200 job here at a dealer, although if you can remove the rear seal in situ then it shouldn't be that much.

Front trans seal is a 10 hour job for a $20 part replacement, and then it would make sense to replace the engine RMS at the same time.

Neil.

[Scratchy2000]

Thanks for all the advice. The mechanic is now calling it a rear crank seal. Is that the same as the real main seal. I really wish I knew more about such things. Also, are there any quick and temporary fixes for these leaks? I know that's probably the wrong question for a Volvo forum but i just need the car to last another 6 months or so and certainly don't want to sink more money into it than the car itself is worth.

[abscate]

Rear crank seal and rear main seal are the same thing. For 6 months , definitely worth trying the 'stop leak in a can'

First pop out the dipstick and vent the crankcase pressure down to the road with a hose or tube.

There is a leak stopper that has had some good outcomes reported so worth searching here.

Marco - make space in that driveway - here comes another one in 6 months...

[rspi]

Grrrr, sad thing about this is that I was in NYC from 7/12 - 7/25.

A clogged PCV system causes oil leaks and makes them worse. Fix that first.
Oil cooler lines are a pain and there is a decent video on YouTube for that.
Rear cam seals are 20 minute jobs.
Rear main seal leak is not the end of the world if the PCV system is in good shape and it's not dripping while you are looking at it.

How much oil are you loosing? How many miles does it take you to be 1 quart low?

I would consider oil cooler lines first, then the PCV system.

[Scratchy2000]

Thanks everyone. Both mechanics say that the rear main seal is a cheap part but about 10-12 hours of labor because the tranny has to come out...or something. I'd say I'm losing a quart every 30-40 miles.