1995 850 GLT wagon: oil under the spark plug cover

tolian2 · Post by **tolian2** » 05 Jul 2007, 12:52

I found a lot of oil under my car's spark plug cover. It's the one which says 20 -valve VOLVO.

Where could it come from and how dangerous it is potentially?

I did not check the spark plugs for oil residues so I do not know if it comes from the spark plug holes.

Is there any chance it could come from outside the cover? If so then what is the fix

Could it cause the fire or something like this?

Trilarry · Post by **Trilarry** » 05 Jul 2007, 13:18

It's from the black hose that is clamped down underneath the 20 valve cover. Usually the clamp needs replacing, you can use an ADEL clamp. This more often fixes the problem. The other culprit is the gasket under the oil fill cap needs replacing.

Tri

tolian2 · Post by **tolian2** » 05 Jul 2007, 13:26

thanks a lot Tri

I will try to look in to the clamp and the gasket.

Hope this will fix it.

If not I'll come back and ask you guy here.

You are great.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Jul 2007, 15:18

That is usually a symptom of a clogged PCV system. Grab a balloon and stick it on the dipstick tube while the engine is running. If the balloon tries to inflate the PCV is clogged and should be serviced soon. The ultimate result of a clogged PCV system is a blown rear main seal - $$$.

...Lee

TuHandy · Post by **TuHandy** » 05 Jul 2007, 22:35

Lee,
You mentioned the balloon test. I am getting air coming out of the oil dipstick tube, except that I have a turbo and no PCV valve. Any Ideas what might be causing it? And yes I have a bad rear main leak.

I had a rear main leak so I decided to totally rebuilt the whole motor since I had it out. Approx. few hundred miles after rebuild, it began leaking again. I am going to be pulling motor one more time and replace main seal but still havent figured out what it causing this problem.

Thanks
Kevin

TuHandy · Post by **TuHandy** » 05 Jul 2007, 22:39

I was going to reply to the original post.

The oil under the cover might be as simple as when you or the lube guys fill the engine with oil, some might spill around the filler neck. I know because it happens to me on occasion. That oil will not drain anywhere but will simply sit in all the nooks and crannys under the cover.

Just a thought,

Kevin

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jul 2007, 05:23

You mentioned the balloon test. I am getting air coming out of the oil dipstick tube, except that I have a turbo and no PCV valve. Any Ideas what might be causing it?

You are correct that you don't have a PCV Valve. What you do have is a PCV system. Details are here.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850oiltrapturbo.htm

Only Volvo could turn something as simple as PCV into the space shuttle.

...Lee

TuHandy · Post by **TuHandy** » 06 Jul 2007, 11:34

Lee,

Thanks for the link. I have bought much from PFC Gronton but never saw that page.
When I had motor torn apart I inspected, cleaned in/out of all the hoses and oil trap. I am pretty sure that there are no obstructions in those lines. I will have to check again.

Thanks,

Kevin