2008 XC90 3.2l Upper Gaskets

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 14 Jan 2019, 21:16

First time Volvo owner. Going to resolve some upper engine oil leaks.
If I understand it correctly, there is both a Camshaft cover and a Oil Trap/PCV cover.

I can see from the parts sellers the Oil Trap cover takes a gasket and PCV.
I'm having trouble zeroing in on whether or not the Camshaft cover takes a gasket or just sealer.

Any help please. As always thanks.

: Volvo 3.2L.jpg (32.2 KiB) Viewed 4818 times

Post by **jimmy57** » 14 Jan 2019, 23:20

The black plastic crankcase breather assembly is sealed with rubber O ring. The cam cover is sealed with anaerobic sealer. That cover will not come off unless the rear engine cover for timing chain, timing chain, cam gears, inner chain case, intake manifold, and alternator are all removed. The back set of bolts for that cover are under the inner chain case and some bolts for inner chain case go into the cam cover. The top covers are not known to leak externally. Besides taking a lot of time to dismantle the timing chain case and timing parts there are a number of special tools needed for seal installation and timing the engine. This engine is like so many these days that do not have pins or keys to hold gears to cams. The crank is set to a position with a tool as are both cams. Then the cams use a counterhold tool to hold cams while gear bolts are torqued.

Post by **ggleavitt** » 15 Jan 2019, 08:06

Somewhat common, you'll see more and more if you do a general search for B6324 oil leaks. Guy from Massachusetts will likely post when he see this, here's a blast from the past in the meantime- https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... &styleid=4

Write-up on B6324 engine oil consumption may be found here- http://www.pennantmotors.com/personal/s ... -05-15.pdf, breather box is one issue mentioned.

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 15 Jan 2019, 08:35

Great info as always! Thanks!

Post by **jimmy57** » 15 Jan 2019, 09:13

Head reseal is rarely the fix. If poor top cover sealing causes oil consumption then the plugs will have deposit levels falling in descending order 6-5-4-3-2-1 since the port the oil leaks into feeds vent holes in intake runners from rear. Often this causes cylinder misfire codes when the oil consumption hasn't been noted by owner.

Masscomguru · Post by **Masscomguru** » 15 Jan 2019, 16:28

ggleavitt wrote: ↑15 Jan 2019, 08:06 Somewhat common, you'll see more and more if you do a general search for B6324 oil leaks. Guy from Massachusetts will likely post when he see this, here's a blast from the past in the meantime- https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... &styleid=4

Write-up on B6324 engine oil consumption may be found here- http://www.pennantmotors.com/personal/s ... -05-15.pdf, breather box is one issue mentioned.

Oh. yeah.. it's been a while on that one. The cover replacement sealed it up for the remaining 110k miles I had the 3.2.

PoppySheaf · Post by **PoppySheaf** » 16 Jan 2019, 01:50

I've noticed accumulated oil leakage down on the PCV side onto the top of transmission.
Switching out the transmission in a few weeks and wanted to address origin of leak(s) while I have good access to this area.
Thanks for the detailed responses. Joined a month or so ago and this site forum is great and all the accurate and detailed responses are great as well.

nknight · Post by **nknight** » 04 Dec 2020, 09:43

Hi,

I have had cylinder misfires on #6 for over a year. Recently misfires are showing on #4 and #5 as well as the generic P0300 code. The other night, I pulled the spark plugs and noticed there was oil on the threads of the spark plug in #6. Could the misfire and oil be the result of a failed spark plug o-ring?

To remove the cam cover, do I have to remove the timing chain too? The timing chain cover is bolted into the cam cover with 4-5 bolts, but I am wondering if I can just remove those bolts without taking out the entire timing chain and having to reset everything.

Or if this seems like it is a different problem, I'm all ears! It is unnerving to have a Check Engine light on for 12 months with no apparent resolution. Volvo mechanic has scratched his head on this one and tried different things without taking the engine apart. Compression check came back good, FWIW.

Thanks!

Post by **pgill** » 04 Dec 2020, 17:09

For the 3.2 the PCV is a large molded plastic piece.

If it fails by getting stuck in the open position then the engine internals are connected directly to the intake manifold which at idle is at a pressure below 1 atmosphere (A vacuum)

If you have this failure mode then the cylinders closest to back of the engine will end up getting liquid oil as well as some combustion vapors.

To fix the problem get a new PCV.

31319642 Volvo part number

or if you don't mind getting your parts in a Land Rover box (and saving some $$$)

LR023777 is the Land Rover part number

The 3.2 is the same Engine for Volvo and Land Rover (there are some minor difference but the PCV isn't one of them)

Take care

Paul

2008 LR2 3.2
2010 S80 3.2

svital123 · Post by **svital123** » 21 Nov 2024, 07:05

this is an old thread but did you ever end up changing the valve cover gasket? im getting oil in my spark plugs and i think its the round gaskets by the spark pug so im gonna order theem. wondering how involved it actually is.

that will determine when i do it, either now or wait until spring since i can ride my motorcycle