2000 S80 Oil Trap Gasket?

bweyers · Post by **bweyers** » 10 Jan 2008, 16:19

I have a 2000 S80 with a check engine light. Dealer says there is a pressure leak at the oil trap. Apperently hard to get at because over 700 bucks in labor to probably replace a gasket!

Is this a common problem? Any problem driving the car without replacing the gasket (dealer thinks its probably a gasket)?

Thanks
bw

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Jan 2008, 17:06

Welcome to MVS.

The oil trap is part of the larger PCV system. If it is leaking under pressure there that means your PCV system is clogged. This is not good (causes pressure in your engine and the end result are engine seal leaks) and it needs replacing. About 4-5 hours is involved in this (replacing about $120 worth of your vacuum hoses, intake gasket, throttle body gasket, etc.). One of the major labor intensive issues is taking your intake manifold off to get to the oil trap under it. So, the price is high but not way out of range for what you were quoted. Make sure they're doing the entire PCV system for this price. Also, you might get a second opinion at another independent Volvo (non-dealer) shop for the same job.

Good luck.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 10 Jan 2008, 21:44

These stupid oil trap systems do get clogged, especially if you use non-synthetic oil. The clogged trap results in backpressure which makes the seal leak. You could try a cleaner such as Auto RX or Seafoam first to clean the system, then run synthetic oil. If that doesn't work you'll need to pull the trap and clean it with solvent. You don't really need to buy a new one, but I'd get a new gasket for it. It's under the intake manifold, which has to be removed, so it's quite a bit of work. I'd first double-check to make sure that the oil leak is really from the trap.

bweyers · Post by **bweyers** » 12 Jan 2008, 18:17

Thanks guys, great forum!!!!
bw

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Jan 2008, 22:11

vegasjetskier is right, but if you're going to go to all the trouble of removing the intake manifold anyway, why not replace the oil trap and related hoses while you're at it...cleaning it to me is a temporary solution. www.fcpgroton.com sells a PCV system for your particular car. You'll also need an intake manifold gasket. Good luck!

damotu · Post by **damotu** » 13 Jan 2008, 17:32

vegasjetskier wrote:These stupid oil trap systems do get clogged, especially if you use non-synthetic oil. The clogged trap results in backpressure which makes the seal leak. You could try a cleaner such as Auto RX or Seafoam first to clean the system, then run synthetic oil. If that doesn't work you'll need to pull the trap and clean it with solvent. You don't really need to buy a new one, but I'd get a new gasket for it. It's under the intake manifold, which has to be removed, so it's quite a bit of work. I'd first double-check to make sure that the oil leak is really from the trap.

Just a question you stated., re: 'Oil trap systems do get clogged especially if you use non-synthetic oil.' Oil systems in my opinion get clogged if one does not change oil/filter as so stated in the owners manuel...I've used 'Dino' oil on all the vehicles owned since 1948., have always changed both the filter and oil between 3500 and 4000 miles and have never had a clogged trap...I do not think using synthetic oil is the answer to a clogged trap., I believe its the frequency fresh oil is used...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 13 Jan 2008, 17:57

Actually there is truth to using synthetic oil here instead of dino oil, especially if you have a turbo. What you have is the recirculation of exhaust fumes which condenses on the inner walls of the PCV tubing that then begin to coagulate. If you can think of this system as the arteries and the oil trap as the heart, then cholesterol (from dino oil) begins to form deposits and eventually clogs the system. With synthetic (no trans-fats!) there is less of a likelihood for clogs. As high cholesterol seems to be genetic in some people, the same goes with these Volvo's...it's in their make-up (with a sophisticated number of small hoses throughout the engine bay)..so, synthetic oil, we have found when used for a long time creates less clogging. Sorry for the silly analogy. With older cars that your used to having, the PCV system was typically just a small valve or even a small piece of filter that fed into the carburetor...a very different system than what's found in our cars.

damotu · Post by **damotu** » 14 Jan 2008, 17:36

MadeInJapan wrote:Actually there is truth to using synthetic oil here instead of dino oil, especially if you have a turbo. What you have is the recirculation of exhaust fumes which condenses on the inner walls of the PCV tubing that then begin to coagulate. If you can think of this system as the arteries and the oil trap as the heart, then cholesterol (from dino oil) begins to form deposits and eventually clogs the system. With synthetic (no trans-fats!) there is less of a likelihood for clogs. As high cholesterol seems to be genetic in some people, the same goes with these Volvo's...it's in their make-up (with a sophisticated number of small hoses throughout the engine bay)..so, synthetic oil, we have found when used for a long time creates less clogging. Sorry for the silly analogy. With older cars that your used to having, the PCV system was typically just a small valve or even a small piece of filter that fed into the carburetor...a very different system than what's found in our cars.

I do appreciate your analogy and it does make sense..Fact is I have a son-in-law who is a die-hard synthetic oil freak and thinks anyone who uses anything other is totally wrong...When Synthetic oils first came to being it was advertized as the '7500 mile oil', and people thought it a great time saver...Even today, dealers do not use full synthetic oil., its blended and of course this is due to cost...Same with fuel octane., Volvos like the 91 octane (and they do run better and get better mileage), but not the dealers..Its the 87 octane., again cost is the reason...I'am just not convinced that I need to spend 5 plus dollars a quart (My S80 Turbo takes 7.5 quarts) when I can buy Valvoline/Quaker State/GTX and others by the case and get a 18 dollar rebate which makes the final cost per quart about one dollar, especially when I change every 3500 to 4000 miles....The vehicle operators manual only states (at least mine does) and this is only recommended to use 91 octane fuel and on oil, use 5/30 weight...Nothing is said about any recommended oil blends (synthetic vs dino)...I certainly would not attempt to criticize or convince anyone that my way is 'The Only Way To Go', If I chose to not change oil/filter myself and felt the 7500 mile interval between changes was good, than I might use the synthetic oils...I just like to get under my vehicles and have a 'look-see' at other components for safety reasons a lot sooner than 7500 miles....Good luck

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Jan 2008, 18:45

Well, this is a debate that can go on forever, so I don't say you're wrong and I'm right. I do use Mobil-1 synthetic in both of our cars and feel good about it. I don't feel good about 7500 mile oil changes though...I do mine right at 5000 miles and get under the car to change it and check things out too. Btw, they are saying that Mobil-1 probably isn't a TRUE synthetic anymore...but I don't know. I'll keep using it because it's been good to me. Before, when I had the 850, I used Castrol GTX and changed it every 3000 miles.

damotu · Post by **damotu** » 15 Jan 2008, 11:46

MadeInJapan wrote:Well, this is a debate that can go on forever, so I don't say you're wrong and I'm right. I do use Mobil-1 synthetic in both of our cars and feel good about it. I don't feel good about 7500 mile oil changes though...I do mine right at 5000 miles and get under the car to change it and check things out too. Btw, they are saying that Mobil-1 probably isn't a TRUE synthetic anymore...but I don't know. I'll keep using it because it's been good to me. Before, when I had the 850, I used Castrol GTX and changed it every 3000 miles.

Could'nt agree more., Debate about oil and gas products will be a never ending discussion..Its what one person likes and thats the way it should be...I'd be interested to know about Mobil 1 and the claim of it being aTrue Synthetic or not, thats what I believe most people use...
Thanks again for your information....