1998 V70 Melted distributor rotor

Post by **scot850** » 12 Dec 2019, 11:03

That little dust cover is important as it also acts like a seal. See if you can find one and replace it. Missing that and your weird high humidity condensation will all have contributed to the issue.

Good luck!

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 13 Dec 2019, 06:31

bronco wrote: 12 Dec 2019, 07:09 ...
I pull the cap and the rotor looks ok but the inside of the cap is completely soaked with a layer of condensation. I dry it with a rag put it on and drive home.

... why is it wet ? ...

Immediate, top suspect would be a dislodged rear cam seal.

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 13 Dec 2019, 19:05

erikv11 wrote: 13 Dec 2019, 06:31
bronco wrote: 12 Dec 2019, 07:09 ...
I pull the cap and the rotor looks ok but the inside of the cap is completely soaked with a layer of condensation. I dry it with a rag put it on and drive home.

... why is it wet ? ...
Immediate, top suspect would be a dislodged rear cam seal.

That would get water in the cap?

When I got the car it had a bad oil leak from the rear of the other cam , and I found a brand new seal which had been installed backwards

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 13 Dec 2019, 19:32

The white stuff in the cap is oxidation from the high voltage arcing the gap from the rotor to each post, this is normal. You can clean out the oxidation.

My bet on the melted rotor is: The Rotor was cracked, the high voltage was arcing through the crack, the plasma produced by the arc melted/burned the Rotor.

Post by **erikv11** » 14 Dec 2019, 13:07

bronco wrote: 13 Dec 2019, 19:05
erikv11 wrote: 13 Dec 2019, 06:31
bronco wrote: 12 Dec 2019, 07:09 ...
I pull the cap and the rotor looks ok but the inside of the cap is completely soaked with a layer of condensation. I dry it with a rag put it on and drive home.

... why is it wet ? ...
Immediate, top suspect would be a dislodged rear cam seal.
That would get water in the cap?

When I got the car it had a bad oil leak from the rear of the other cam , and I found a brand new seal which had been installed backwards

Yep! The crankcase gases have a lot of water vapor, it condenses inside the cap.

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 19 Dec 2019, 06:49

erikv11 wrote: 14 Dec 2019, 13:07
bronco wrote: 13 Dec 2019, 19:05
erikv11 wrote: 13 Dec 2019, 06:31

Immediate, top suspect would be a dislodged rear cam seal.
That would get water in the cap?

When I got the car it had a bad oil leak from the rear of the other cam , and I found a brand new seal which had been installed backwards
Yep! The crankcase gases have a lot of water vapor, it condenses inside the cap.

You are right the seal was loose and floating around , I pounded it back in and Ill drive it a bit to see if it blows off again. I see some white scum on the oil fill cap I wonder if my PCV system is malfunctioning

Post by **abscate** » 19 Dec 2019, 07:29

It’s normal to have milkshake if you don’t get the car fully hot, 30mminutes of driving at town speeds, every week.

bronco · Post by **bronco** » 19 Dec 2019, 08:29

abscate wrote: 19 Dec 2019, 07:29 It’s normal to have milkshake if you don’t get the car fully hot, 30mminutes of driving at town speeds, every week.

ya its been cold and wet here and i havent been on the highway. With that seal out I can see the cap looking just like the inside of the oil fill cap. I may drive around a bit with the oil cap off or at least the dipstick pulled out and see if I can burn the milk out.

I took the cap off and brought it in the house filled it with water and set it on the counter on a paper towel and not one drop of water leaked out so I think I can rule out cracks.

Now any time I feel like pulling the cap off I should be able to tell if the seal popped off again if I see moisture in the cap.

I would like to see if this seal stays put before I buy another and put it on

Post by **erikv11** » 19 Dec 2019, 09:02

Yes, to both points - PCV is likely the cause of this yes, but the white goo doesn't mean the PCV is bad just that it's winter and the car has been driven on short trips.

If you get new cam seals, be sure to buy Corteco brand. About 10 bucks each and the exact same seal as in the blue Volvo box. The Elring seals are junk. There's a good chance the one that was in backwards was a cheap seal, I'd replace it too. Or at least inspect it see if it has the Corteco markings.

Hey this is a great deal on the right cam seals 4 bucks each https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... co-9443310