If it stays loose at idle, you rev slightly to test further. If it's really plugged up, you will fail at idle.
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Need help locating possible source of oil leak on my 850 non turbo
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abscate
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Re: Need help locating possible source of oil leak on my 850 non turbo
You pop a flexible glove over the oil filler cap and see if it blows up like the Hamburger Helper icon or stays limp like an MVS moderator. You are testing for buildup of crank pressure.
If it stays loose at idle, you rev slightly to test further. If it's really plugged up, you will fail at idle.
If it stays loose at idle, you rev slightly to test further. If it's really plugged up, you will fail at idle.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
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FLXC90
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OP-you say it is still failing after PCV service, what all did you do (or have done) to constitute PCV service.
Was it just parts replacement? Were the return ports to the pan thoroughly cleaned, and were ALL lines replaced? "Upgrade" to heater hose?
This matters because next step after PCV service is checking for blow-by from bad rings, aka rebuild. Have you done a compression test on the car yet? I recommend that or using a vacuum gauge to determine general condition of engine. Like having your vitals taken at a routine checkup.
I'm not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom, just sounds like PCV service may have been incomplete. If the car was low mileage, probably driven gently, with dino oil, lots of sludge etc. It's common, and reversible. sounds like the ports aren't real clean. Maybe some seafoam or other oil treatment to clean insides, couple of close interval oil/filter changes?
Was it just parts replacement? Were the return ports to the pan thoroughly cleaned, and were ALL lines replaced? "Upgrade" to heater hose?
This matters because next step after PCV service is checking for blow-by from bad rings, aka rebuild. Have you done a compression test on the car yet? I recommend that or using a vacuum gauge to determine general condition of engine. Like having your vitals taken at a routine checkup.
I'm not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom, just sounds like PCV service may have been incomplete. If the car was low mileage, probably driven gently, with dino oil, lots of sludge etc. It's common, and reversible. sounds like the ports aren't real clean. Maybe some seafoam or other oil treatment to clean insides, couple of close interval oil/filter changes?
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)
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FLXC90
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Oh yeah, and cam seals are easy, but they are a symptom, if the pressure isn't fixed, next will be Rear Main Seal, which involves removing transmission... enough to send many Volvos to the scrapyard. Keep us informed, and you will save money and your mind.
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)
Thanks for the responses, I just now saw the last two posts. So here is an update with some not good news and possible worse news.
I picked my car up after service Tuesday night. The pcv still had pressure as I mentioned, I drove it with the dipstick out a little. I drove it to work and home for 3 days(about 80miles a day). Wednesday was fine except the positive pressure was still there. Thursday I get to work fine and did the glove test on my lunch break. The glove didn't inflate but didn't provide a vacuum either, so doing better. Driving home after idling in traffic I put it in first and a decent sized puff of blue smoke comes out. It did this 3 times total during my 1.5 hr commute that day. I had read about valve stem seals on these whiteblocks and I really hope this is not the case.
Friday I drove it to work again. No smoke after idling driving to work. I checked the engine pressure at lunch and when I got home and got
Vacuum! However, I noticed there was leak on one of the same areas as before around the passenger side wheel well area, most likely coming from the timing belt area. I called the new shop I used to let them know and told them I want the mechanic to check it out with me on Monday after work.
I drove it all weekend for short trips here and there(around 20-30 min drives) and the car did not smoke after idling. My check engine light came on and it was a P0442 code for Evap leak(my gas cap may not have been on all the way, I will have the shop reset it and see if that works). The car had definitely used some oil from the leak. Tonight I was able to get the car up on ramps and take some better pics which I will attach.
The leak looks like it is still coming from the front passenger wheel well area. There is fresh oil all over the bottom of the timing belt cover ,some hoses near that area and all over the axle area. They told me they replaced the whole pcv system which included pcv box(oil trap), intake gasket, new hoses and clamps. They charged me $480 for the pcv replacement, which I thought was very reasonable. I had waited so long to get this done. I decided to just have them fix the leak instead of trying it myself because I wouldn't have the time for another 2 weeks to try it. I told them I suspected the leak was from the cam seals but they thought it was from the oil pump seal. They replaced 2 cam seals since they had to take the timing belt off to get to the oil pump seal.
Unfortunately this car has not been the "well maintained" 850 the dealership said it was and that I overpaid for because of the severely neglected pcv. They got me. I will see what they say on Monday but I don't think I be using this shop for future repairs. I really want my old mechanic to work on it as he is the only mechanic I have fully trusted,but as mentioned he is too busy to take on more customers and is getting very spaced out in his old age (forgot twice to order the Pcv parts he didn't have).
I definitely want to get a compression test done and figure out why all the pressure was still there after they replaced the pcv. Is it possible that the blue smoke could have been back pressure and build up working its way out? I'm not quite sure what to do. What other seals could be leaking from the timing belt area? If it turns out the valve stem seals are bad, how long can I put that off until I can either afford or attempt a crazy diy after I heavily research it? Will I run the risk of burning my valves? I don't want to have to keep dumping tons of $$$ into it especially since I know the pcv has wreaked havoc on the car's 20 year old seals. I got ripped off but I want to give her a fair shot and don't want to sell her because it would be a big loss. I would rather put some seafoam in it and drive and enjoy her until she dies or attempt an advanced diy myself. I'm really confused about what to do and also I wish I had a mechanic I trusted. Thank you to all the responses, this forum is wonderful. Again any advice is greatly appreciated, what should my next move be?
I picked my car up after service Tuesday night. The pcv still had pressure as I mentioned, I drove it with the dipstick out a little. I drove it to work and home for 3 days(about 80miles a day). Wednesday was fine except the positive pressure was still there. Thursday I get to work fine and did the glove test on my lunch break. The glove didn't inflate but didn't provide a vacuum either, so doing better. Driving home after idling in traffic I put it in first and a decent sized puff of blue smoke comes out. It did this 3 times total during my 1.5 hr commute that day. I had read about valve stem seals on these whiteblocks and I really hope this is not the case.
Friday I drove it to work again. No smoke after idling driving to work. I checked the engine pressure at lunch and when I got home and got
Vacuum! However, I noticed there was leak on one of the same areas as before around the passenger side wheel well area, most likely coming from the timing belt area. I called the new shop I used to let them know and told them I want the mechanic to check it out with me on Monday after work.
I drove it all weekend for short trips here and there(around 20-30 min drives) and the car did not smoke after idling. My check engine light came on and it was a P0442 code for Evap leak(my gas cap may not have been on all the way, I will have the shop reset it and see if that works). The car had definitely used some oil from the leak. Tonight I was able to get the car up on ramps and take some better pics which I will attach.
The leak looks like it is still coming from the front passenger wheel well area. There is fresh oil all over the bottom of the timing belt cover ,some hoses near that area and all over the axle area. They told me they replaced the whole pcv system which included pcv box(oil trap), intake gasket, new hoses and clamps. They charged me $480 for the pcv replacement, which I thought was very reasonable. I had waited so long to get this done. I decided to just have them fix the leak instead of trying it myself because I wouldn't have the time for another 2 weeks to try it. I told them I suspected the leak was from the cam seals but they thought it was from the oil pump seal. They replaced 2 cam seals since they had to take the timing belt off to get to the oil pump seal.
Unfortunately this car has not been the "well maintained" 850 the dealership said it was and that I overpaid for because of the severely neglected pcv. They got me. I will see what they say on Monday but I don't think I be using this shop for future repairs. I really want my old mechanic to work on it as he is the only mechanic I have fully trusted,but as mentioned he is too busy to take on more customers and is getting very spaced out in his old age (forgot twice to order the Pcv parts he didn't have).
I definitely want to get a compression test done and figure out why all the pressure was still there after they replaced the pcv. Is it possible that the blue smoke could have been back pressure and build up working its way out? I'm not quite sure what to do. What other seals could be leaking from the timing belt area? If it turns out the valve stem seals are bad, how long can I put that off until I can either afford or attempt a crazy diy after I heavily research it? Will I run the risk of burning my valves? I don't want to have to keep dumping tons of $$$ into it especially since I know the pcv has wreaked havoc on the car's 20 year old seals. I got ripped off but I want to give her a fair shot and don't want to sell her because it would be a big loss. I would rather put some seafoam in it and drive and enjoy her until she dies or attempt an advanced diy myself. I'm really confused about what to do and also I wish I had a mechanic I trusted. Thank you to all the responses, this forum is wonderful. Again any advice is greatly appreciated, what should my next move be?
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erikv11
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Is the wet oil new, was it wiped off or something under there after the repair work? It is hard for me to tell what is fresh leak and what is old, I would clean the whole area really well then check again.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6
153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6
153kgone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k
The oil pan area was cleaned but there was some leftover around the axle and the side rail that intersects the axle area(oil was dripping from there). Most of what you see is fresh though. The bottom of the timing belt cover was soaked. I will try to degrease it after I get back from talking to the mechanic this evening.
Update...
- Attachments
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- Leak after cleaning 3/21 a
Taken before cleaning 3/22
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- Cleaned on tuesday 3/22
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- Leak from timing belt area from engine this morning 3/23
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- Timing belt area this afternoon 3/23
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- More oil from same area after cleaning 3/23
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- 3/23 more bottom timing belt cover bottom soaked
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- More timing belt
Last edited by dubsetter on 23 Mar 2016, 20:42, edited 3 times in total.
Second to last is supposed to be directly
after cleaning. The last pic was before I cleaned it on 3/22 (I cleaned it the day before on 3/21, so that pic was taken in between the 2 days of cleaning.
after cleaning. The last pic was before I cleaned it on 3/22 (I cleaned it the day before on 3/21, so that pic was taken in between the 2 days of cleaning.
Last edited by dubsetter on 23 Mar 2016, 20:30, edited 2 times in total.
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