95 850 N/A Oil Leak and Antifreeze Smell HELP!

bnzlva · Post by **bnzlva** » 21 Mar 2008, 21:16

Looking for some guidance on a couple of issues with my 95 850 non-turbo wagon.

First, and most importantly, the car is leaking oil. I had the transmission replaced less than a week ago and have noticed a small (2inx2in) puddle of oil soaked into my gravel driveway. No big deal there, however my heart sank when I backed out of my parking spot at work only to notice a rather large puddle of oil (6inx20in) in its place. It's worth noting that at work I park on about a 30 degree incline but at home I am parked level. Could it just be the incline is making the leak seem worse as it leaks down the asphalt or could the incline actually be making the leak worse? Where could it be leaking from?

Secondly, the driver's side CV boot has definitely failed as there is grease all around it and it clicks both turning and decelerating (telling me it is both the inner and outer boot from what I have read here and on raxles.com) Being that the oil leak seems first priority and I am a man of limited funds, will driving with failed CV boot cause expensive damage elsewhere (specifically my new tranny?) Also, I have read that replacing the transaxle with one from a supplier such as raxles.com is advisable over replacing just the boot(s). Do I replace both sides or just the failed side? The car still drives straight as an arrow and wears normally on all tires if that helps.

Finally, when I turn my heat on, I get a moderate odor of antifreeze for the first couple of seconds. Thereafter the smell is gone unless the car sits for a couple of hours and I start her up and cut the heat on. I fear this may be the start of a heater core problem as my limited mechanical knowledge provides me with little other possibility.

Ordinarily, I would sell the car to someone who wants an inexpensive car and can repair it themselves(like a mechanic who loves Volvo's), but I LOVE this car when it runs correctly. Additionally, I have spent the money on a new tranny and I don't want another car, like I said, I LOVE this one. Anyone who can help, I would be most grateful and you'd be helping a strapped college kid!

greasefingerss · Post by **greasefingerss** » 22 Mar 2008, 06:22

Have you confirmed that the oil leak is motor oil or is it ATF fluid?

The heater core is most likely starting to fail. It is somewhat cheap and easy to change, however it does make a mess and preparation is the key to minimizing this.

It is easier to swap out the half shaft (less work) then to only replace the CV joint. And the shaft assembly only costs a little more.

Hunt down that leak!

Post by **sseir39** » 22 Mar 2008, 06:29

I do hope with the replacement transmission your rear main seal was also replaced. This is the easy and inexpensive time to do it.

The axle is easily, fairly, replaced and not expensive. Do only the one that is messed up. Cost seems to be around $100 to $175, depending on who you use. I have used fcpgroton's but did have one break and it was difficult to remove because of where it broke.

The antifreeze smell could be and most likely is the heater core. Again, not expensive in the $150 categorly. Be sure to check the piping from the firewall to the heater core as there can be leakage at the pipe joint at the inside. Not a bad job either.

Not sure of the oil leak as need more information. Hope all of this did not start since the transmission replacement.

bnzlva · Post by **bnzlva** » 22 Mar 2008, 19:33

Sounds like the oil leak is the RMS as it didn't leak until the tranny was replaced. Is the RMS something that is common sense to replace when fitting a new transmission or would it have been something I should have mentioned? Basically, I wondered if I would have a case if I walked in advising him of his mistake so that he would fix it at cost.

Also, if I were to continue driving my car with the bad cv boot, am I at risk of damaging other costly components? Thanks!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Mar 2008, 19:48

I would think you have a case if it truly is the RMS. I know of no one who would do this work without changing that out. You won't damage anything else with a bad CV joint unless the axle completely breaks, and that will take a long time. For the most pat, it's just annoying.

bnzlva · Post by **bnzlva** » 23 Mar 2008, 17:59

Thanks!

I'll see how it goes tomorrow when I talk to him. I must admit, I really love this car, but my 1990 740 has had WAY less trouble and has nearly 300k miles. Too bad it's not as smooth or refined as the 850.

I know I've probably reached my question quota

, but I was wondering what I could do to help my car's acceleration. It feels sluggish. It's not as if it's missing or anything, it just feels slower than it should be. I am soon going to replace spark plugs, wires, and distributor, but what about cleaning the MAF, cleaning the fuel injectors, etc. I've read about cleaning the MAF, but what about the injectors? How should I clean them and what other suggestions might you guys have?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Mar 2008, 18:19

To truly clean the injectors you probably need to take them out and send them off but before going to that extent, I have just run Techron through my gas tank and this seems to help.

On a related note, many here have found a great way to give their cars a tune-up and more umph in a little can of stuff called Sea Foam. There are a couple of threads here about it. 1/3 can in the gas tank, 1/3 in the sump (500 or less miles before an oil change) and 1/3 in through a vacuum hose. Check it out (do a search here or just keep trolling down the different posts and you'l run into it on this or the next page). It seems to really work!

bnzlva · Post by **bnzlva** » 24 Mar 2008, 08:07

Thanks for your help! I have read a couple of the threads on the seafoam and I think I'll try it. You guys are awesome, I'd have been screwed by mechanics several times.