Smoke from dip stick Volvo 960 3.0 1997

AndreBKK · Post by **AndreBKK** » 18 Apr 2007, 08:02

I own a Volvo 960 in Thailand. Unfortunately the service is very bad and I don

Post by **billofdurham** » 18 Apr 2007, 12:19

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Three questions:

What is the mileage of the car?

Can you confirm there was no smoke from these points before the oil seals were changed?

Have you any documentation from the mechanic as to which oil seals he replaced?

Bill.

AndreBKK · Post by **AndreBKK** » 18 Apr 2007, 20:36

Thanks,

The Mileage is now 162,000Km.

I don

Post by **billofdurham** » 19 Apr 2007, 12:02

On that sort of mileage (or is it kilometreage?) the first thing I would suspect would be the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system (PCV). If it is choked, back pressure in the engine could cause oil to be forced out of seals, up the dipstick tube and around the oil filler. The PCV is often overlooked on car servicing but is an essential part of the car's emission controls.

This is Volvo's recommendation for the PCV for your car:

60,000 AND 100,000 MILES:
PCV - FLAME GUARD: INSPECT, CLEAN NIPPLE AND HOSES -

Maintains proper emission control.

Clogged flame guard may cause oil seepage.

If you are not mechanically minded it may be better to leave it to a mechanic. However, if you wish to try we shall give you guidance.

Bill.

AndreBKK · Post by **AndreBKK** » 19 Apr 2007, 22:42

Thanks again! And it is

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Apr 2007, 12:20

The PCV system is mounted on the left side of the engine under the intake manifold.

There is an oil trap with 2 pipes coming out of it, one from the top and one from the side. The pipe coming out of the top of the oil trap includes a flame trap which becomes clogged with oil over a period of time. It is this part, #12 in picture 1, that causes the problems. Some people try to wash this out with petrol or a proprietary cleaner but I think this is false economy as the part itself does not cost too much. If Volvo parts are hard to obtain in Thailand this could be used as a temporary measure.

Picture 2 shows where the flame trap is. The second shot on this picture will be what you see before it is dismantled.

Hope this helps.

Bill.

AndreBKK · Post by **AndreBKK** » 20 Apr 2007, 18:28

Thanks for the instructions. I will replace/ clean the parts recommended and then post an update.

Andre