05 XC90 V8, how to identify ps pump leaks

[robrike]

I have an 05 with V8 that I just got back together after a decent little wreck. Prior to wreck I had a leak going when I would take plastic cover off to change oil. It was just enough to attract dirt and need cleaning but never dripped. Cover has been off since repairs and I am noticing oil indicative of RMS leak at weep hole of engine/transmission. Put leak dye in engine oil but no hit on it. Checking transmission fluid last night I noticed smoke on passenger side of engine with engine on and headlights on. Funny smell to it too, not quite like engine oil. Level has dropped twice in ps reservoir and I suspect ps pump leak.
Is there a right up on diagnosing this and maybe how to disassemble and replace? If after a few more days I don't see dye glow I may add a touch to power steering fluid and see what I get.
I got a few pics of front cover area and there is some dried oil dirt stuff below pump. Car has 133k miles on it.

Thanks for any insight.

Robert

[regent]

What is the PS fluid level in reservoir now; how much fluid are you losing?
Check the bellows on the rack's inner rod ends, if wet then you have leaking rack seals. The fluid may collect in the bellows with no apparent leak on visual inspection

[jimmy57]

P/S pumps on V8s are known to leak and run down valley and drain through bell housing.

[robrike]

Nothing showing on rack bellows. One is torn from wreck and needs replacing asap. Finally did see some dye near bellhousing hole tonight. Weird thing is it is also like a dusting of fluorescent pixie dust near front cover and above oil drain plug around oil pan mating surface. Starting to think front cover or valve cover gaskets letting oil mist blow out. Pcv is good, have suction when pulling oil cap loose and taking out. Only definitive oily leak is around bellhousing. Rest is just like fluorescent dust, no real fresh oil leak to it and this dye has been in and run maybe 30 minutes.
Any suggestions???
Thanks in advance,
Robert

[sebvox]

Just bought an 07 XC90 V8 with the same power steering issue. There was a small amount of PSF accumulating on the bottom of the transmission casing. I checked the steering rack to make sure there were no leaks down at that end but it was dry. It was also whining at cold start up but would go away as the engine reached operating temperature. I suspected that the O-rings on the top of the power steering pump were old and shriveled allowing air to enter the system causing the whine. Likewise causing the small leak. I also noticed that the color of the PSF was clear and not green as it should be. So I used a vacuum pump to remove all of the fluid from the reservoir. I pulled the pressure line (small metal tube) from the pump using an 8mm socket, removed the old 0-ring and replaced it with P/N 988119. I then pulled the suction hose (the larger rubber hose) using a 12mm wrench. This took some time as the intake plenum makes it a small space to work in. The Volvo parts diagram does not show this as a replaceable item. So I pulled the old O-ring off and used a new one of the same size that I had on hand. Reconnected the hoses to the pump and filled the reservoir with new Pentosin CHF 11S (OEM supplier of Volvo PSF). Started the car and turned the steering wheel from lock to lock a few times and re-topped off the reservoir. No more whine and no more leaks! I even woke up early this morning to hear how it sounded at a true cold start. Problem fixed.

[LoveMyXc90]

Sebvox,
Good post. I too just bought and XC90. Mine is a 2008 Sport with the V8 and I heard that power steering pump growl the very next morning after I bought it.
While at the dealership, the car was on the lift and I saw a leak right between the transmission and engine and my stomach sank. I thought rear seal and saw only $$$$$$$ signs. But what I had read about the Yamaha engines made be a bit skeptical that it really was a rear main engine seal.
After reading your post, I decided to do exactly what you suggested and like you said, the PSF was brown instead of green. I grabbed the turkey baster from the kitchen and sucked out all that old oil, popped the engine covers off and did the repair. I replaced the PSF with Pentosis CHF 202 - the green stuff. Started the engine, turned all the way left and held for 3 seconds, turned all the way right and held for 3 seconds then shut the engine off and checked the level again. I topped off to midway between the two lines then took her for a spin around the block. The steering didn't feel any different, in fact it felt a little heavier, I think. When I returned home I went under the car and wiped off any excess oil from the underside.
I went out side early this morning and the temp was around 40F. Stared her up and WHALA! no more whinning power steering pump!!!!

[dnwong]

I have a 2008 3.2 and experience a whine when just starting the car also. Here some pics of oil leaks under the left side of car. Does the V8 and 3.2 engines use the same power steering box?

[RickHaleParker]

Use a different color trace dye for each of the fluids, that way you can tell what fluid is leaking.

[SD4US]

Sebvox,
Good post. I too just bought and XC90. Mine is a 2008 Sport with the V8 and I heard that power steering pump growl the very next morning after I bought it.
While at the dealership, the car was on the lift and I saw a leak right between the transmission and engine and my stomach sank. I thought rear seal and saw only $$$$$$$ signs. But what I had read about the Yamaha engines made be a bit skeptical that it really was a rear main engine seal.
After reading your post, I decided to do exactly what you suggested and like you said, the PSF was brown instead of green. I grabbed the turkey baster from the kitchen and sucked out all that old oil, popped the engine covers off and did the repair. I replaced the PSF with Pentosis CHF 202 - the green stuff. Started the engine, turned all the way left and held for 3 seconds, turned all the way right and held for 3 seconds then shut the engine off and checked the level again. I topped off to midway between the two lines then took her for a spin around the block. The steering didn't feel any different, in fact it felt a little heavier, I think. When I returned home I went under the car and wiped off any excess oil from the underside.
I went out side early this morning and the temp was around 40F. Stared her up and WHALA! no more whinning power steering pump!!!!

Hi LoveMyXc90,
Can you please tell us if you have replaced both o-rings as sbvox did or only the one on the pressure side, P/N 988119?
Sebvox mentioned he did the other one too, and I'm trying to find out if P/N 988121 would be the right P/N for that one.
Many thanks for your feedback.