Cam seal cost Topic is solved

[erikv11]

... I disagree that once a seal is exposed to excessive pressure it is ruined. ...

That's a good point that likely all will of course agree with, but I suspect you misunderstand my statement "once a seal is breached." Breached, as in "has a hole punched in it" etc. So really nothing to do with exposure to pressure or whatever caused the breach. Unfortunately no oil seal is designed to self-repair a rupture, e.g. a nick or crack, split, etc.

Now there are all kinds of snake oils in a can that claim to, but that's another story.

[redc70]

Here are some pics I took today. Sorry if they take up too much space. I don't see anything like oil leaking anywhere. As soon as I get more time, I will jack it up and have a good rummage 'round. I'll keep ya'll posted.

[SuperHerman]

Power steering pump pulley looks like it has something on it. Also the power steering reservoir looks suspect. Check your power steering level to see if it is down. If it is low that could be the source of your leak. From there check your reservoir and check your power steering lines where they connect to the reservoir. Also check the front of the power steering pump where the shaft goes into the pump - maybe this seal is leaking.

Other than that - what I mentioned before check the front crank shaft seal and oil cooler. You need to take off the right front wheel and pull the plastic access fold back - it will give you a nice look.

Look at the oil drippings and take a good sniff and examine the color - try to figure out which oil is leaking (engine, power steering and/or transmission are the flavors).

[erikv11]

Also, avoid chasing your tail here - the only description of the oil leak comes from post 1 where the shop "said the front of the engine was covered in oil and that my cam seals were to blame." That statement has been thoroughly debunked so step 1 is something like "where is the leak accumulating?" followed by "where might it be coming from?" and (as SuperHerman describes) "do you know which fluid it is?"

I agree the stain on power steering pump is worth paying attention to but I can't see much of a leak at all in those pics.

My reading is the next step is to clean everything up and start from square one. Is there a leak? Where is it? Etc.

[abscate]

Thats nice and dry. That PS 'leak' is probably seep from the shaft bearing but I would call that acceptable - its not even wet, just the slightest seep which has picked up dust. If you cleaned that off with a towel and water I bet you wouldn't see any seep coming out.

One last defense for your shop.

Check the left side of your engine - the one towards the FRONT of the car. If you PCV has blown or is clogged/leaking, that could be where the oil is.

[erikv11]

Thats nice and dry. That PS 'leak' is probably seep from the shaft bearing but I would call that acceptable - its not even wet, just the slightest seep which has picked up dust. If you cleaned that off with a towel and water I bet you wouldn't see any seep coming out.

One last defense for your shop.

Check the left side of your engine - the one towards the FRONT of the car. If you PCV has blown or is clogged/leaking, that could be where the oil is.

That's a good point. And by left side, he means right side! Indeed, the side nearest to the headlights.

[redc70]

Thanks for the input, yes I kinda knew what the front was...lol, but referenced that in an earlier post for clarity. I'll check it all out once the rain stops here. I think the shop may have realized I may not want to do the top at this time and might have tried another tactic. The owner is actually Swedish and does nothing but Volvo and Saab. I will probably take it back to do the top, but that is going to run into probably close to 1k. They just have to start taking things apart and go from there. Although I did mention that the locks cover locks were in the wrong position and that was the code Vida gave me, but oh well. Leaks first...
Love the car and is probably worth getting it all done, (top wise) but I love my Mercedes more and it will hold up much better in the long run. Decisions, decisions.
Once again, thanks to all.

[Sommerfeldt]

Fwiw, my 850 just failed inspection because the 90 degree hose on the right side of the PCV can split, came off the port and the whole thing dumped about a quart of oil on the "front" (left side) of the engine. If that's where your oil spill is, it's semi easy to see if you put the car on ramps, take the air dam off and look up at the can under the intake manifold. Also a relatively easy fix, with some fiddling time.

- S

[abscate]

Directions on cars can get confusing in a transverse mounted engine. Volvo calls the timing belt the front of the engine, but the mount under it is called the right engine mount, referenced to the car. A mechanic will say front of engine without any regard for conventions.

That’s why we always ask for pictures.

[erikv11]

The mount under the timing belt is called the front engine mount. All of the mounts are named according to that convention. But I agree that in the long run, clarity tops convention for "which side of the engine?"

For almost everything else, like which one is the spring seat and which is the strut mount, the name of the part matters a lot, try as hard as you can not to change it, it is very unwise to start calling one the other.