960 1995 Oil leak, pictures included.

tizzledizz · Post by **tizzledizz** » 14 Mar 2009, 18:55

Alright so here's the problem. Yesterday I was driving somewhere, and as I was parking, some white smoke started coming from under my hood, and there was a pretty nasty smell. I popped the hood and saw that the oil cap flew off and there was oil all over the engine and was dripping onto the concrete below. I quickly cleaned all the oil off and since my oil level was at 0, I refilled it all the way. I identified the original problem to be my lack of coolant probably caused the engine to overheat, and the oil cap to blow off (the coolant light was on for a while), so I replaced the coolant and my light went off.

Now today, after driving just a few miles and parking, I had the same problem, except this time it wasn't overheating, it was just leaking oil. I included a few pictures to show where the oil was leaking from and onto the metal underneath causing it to smoke and burn.

I circled the area where the oil is leaking from. Is it a possibility that when the oil cap blew off there was also a screw that blew out too while under pressure, causing there to be a gap for the oil to leak?

Is it dangerous to drive the car under these conditions? (I've been driving it for relatively short distances, it smokes a bit, but I can only see it when I pop the hood.)

Is this something I could fix myself, or should I take it to a mechanic? How much would the repair costs be, and what are the names of the parts that are affected?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Mar 2009, 12:20

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

This is a new one for me. I have never seen an oil filler cap come off because the engine overheated.

Before trying to find out if anything else blew off have you removed the engine cover - the plate with "Volvo 24 Valve"on it? It is possible that there is oil lying under the cover in some volume as the recess is rather deep. That would be leaking out at the point circled.

Try this and post back.

Bill.

tizzledizz · Post by **tizzledizz** » 15 Mar 2009, 16:19

I can't remove the cover because I lack the necessary tools. Is there anything else I can check?

Also, is it dangerous to drive without fixing this problem?

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Mar 2009, 16:28

You may not have a problem if the oil is coming from under the cover as a result of the oil cap coming off. This may not necessarily be a leak just an accumulation of oil which will continue to seep out until it all goes. Oil collecting under the cover is a fairly common occurrence when it escapes from the filler cap if, for example, the seal on the cap is faulty.

However, if you have done more damage to the oil system then there is a potential for the engine to lose enough oil for it to seize.

It is imperative that you get the cover off either yourself or by a local garage to find out what is going on.

Bill.

Paulii · Post by **Paulii** » 15 Mar 2009, 17:04

Hello, You have the tools in your tool tray in the back right compartment. Torx 30. Replace the gasket on your oil cap. Sounds like it is dried out. I don't see too many pop off though. Make sure it is tight with new gasket. Use brake clean to remove the oil on top of engine under cover. If you keep it there it will cause damage to the coils. Once it is cleaned test drive with cover off and look for new oil. Report back when your done. Pauli

tizzledizz · Post by **tizzledizz** » 16 Mar 2009, 01:40

I didn't see a toolbox, could it be under the spare tire?

Paulii · Post by **Paulii** » 16 Mar 2009, 05:34

You should have a tool pouch where your spare tire is if it is a sedan. Your owners manual will have a location. Pauli

tizzledizz · Post by **tizzledizz** » 18 Mar 2009, 20:40

I tried but I couldn't find the toolbox anywhere in the trunk, all that is left there is a spare tire and some tools for replacing the tire.