Motor block leaks from between 2 halves

Post by **BlackBart** » 17 Oct 2021, 17:15

Which would be....the right side, no?

(In a sideways Volvo engine) the front of the engine is on the right side of the car. We're riding it like a horse, looking at the RF fender. The exhaust is on your right side, against the windshield and firewall.

Did I miss something.......?

Post by **abscate** » 17 Oct 2021, 18:12

They will figure it out eventually, BB….

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Oct 2021, 19:30

You're catching on!

Post by **Clemens** » 28 Oct 2021, 08:57

So after cleaning the motor with brake cleaner really good and driving it for a while this is how it looks now. Is that the turbo oil line leaking?

Post by **Sveedy** » 28 Oct 2021, 09:37

I would say " Yes ". That little o-ring needs to be replaced. Tad bit easier than splitting the block.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Oct 2021, 10:01

1. Get get some Tracer dye and a UV light.
2. Power wash the engine clean. If you don't have a power washer, Car washes have setting for this task.
3. Add the tracer dye to the oil.
4. Drive it for a short while back to home.
5. Trace the leak back to the source with the UV light.
The idea is to drive it just enough that the trace dye just starts to appear. That way it is not all over the place and you got a nice line back to the source.

Post by **Clemens** » 28 Oct 2021, 11:39

I might as well do that although cleaning a motor at a car wash is gonna get you a hefty fine over here. I'll just blast it off with brake cleaner again.

btw, since cleaning I drove less than 100 miles. So this is quite a serious leak.

Post by **erikv11** » 28 Oct 2021, 12:44

Won't hurt to clean it up and check again but your evidence is pretty compelling - it's definitely the turbo oil return drain line seal. Sounds like if you get it into boost just a couple times and take it home to check, you will probably see the leak already. There is also a paper seal on the top, be sure to replace that too. Access is a bit of a PITA.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Oct 2021, 12:54

Clemens wrote: 28 Oct 2021, 11:39 I might as well do that although cleaning a motor at a car wash is gonna get you a hefty fine over here.

Can you borrow or rent a Power Washer for a reasonable price?
If the leak is that bad. Just idling should be enough. No need to drive it. Just let it idle and use the UV light.

Post by **Clemens** » 28 Oct 2021, 14:02

erikv11 wrote: 28 Oct 2021, 12:44 Won't hurt to clean it up and check again but your evidence is pretty compelling - it's definitely the turbo oil return drain line seal. Sounds like if you get it into boost just a couple times and take it home to check, you will probably see the leak already. There is also a paper seal on the top, be sure to replace that too. Access is a bit of a PITA.

That access problem: I guess that is why my indie decided to let it just pass rather than fix the seal. Time to get the wrenches out before it gets too cold.
I might try the dye as RickHaleParker suggested, but that seal is most definitely junk. If it leaks from below that - whixh seems unlilekely - it eill only be diagnosable as soon as the oil line leak has been taken care of. Otherwise oil from up there will continue to splatter everywhere.