C70 1999 Oil Leak and Check Engine Light

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 01 Jan 2009, 19:36

I have a 1999 Volvo C70 Coupe. My car has an oil leak! The motor has been broken down several times but the leak remains. I live in GA and I have to get an emissions sticker ASAP. I have paid over $2000.00 to get this work done over 2 years and nothing seems to help.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jan 2009, 20:10

Welcome to MVS.
I feel your frustration.
Could you be more specific as to where the oil leak is and maybe we can help you.

By the way, I'm moving your post (and this thread) to the C70 area of the forum where you will get other owners of C70's to help you. The original post will remain in its original location with a ghost link so that you will be able to find this again.

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 01 Jan 2009, 20:45

The oil leak is under the front end of the car. When I drive the car, smoke comes from under the hood. The odor of oil comes through the air conditioner. Once the smell comes through, the smoke starts to come from under the hood and through the front grill.

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 01 Jan 2009, 20:52

By the way, the service light comes on and the Check Engine light comes on. The Check Engine light won't go away but the service light will go away after a short time. I have not driven the car 100 miles yet since they tried to fix the oil leak. I noticed that oil was leaking this afternoon.

When I parked the car and noticed the leak, I saw that the oil seemed to be leaking in the shape of a square under the right front end of the car. There was a drip coming down in a steady but light flow and the other spots were settled into the pavement.

I am a teacher and I have no idea what is wrong but my car drives and runs smoothly. I just know that I have to put oil in every other day.

Help!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jan 2009, 21:33

Well, certainly from the front of the car would make sense because that's where the engine is. Do you ever get under the car? Do you do any work on your car besides add oil? Really, someone will need to get under it, clean off the bottom of the engine to try to see where exactly the oil is coming from. From your description, it could be any part of the engine. If you can't do this, do you know someone who could and who could post back with that information? Without it, we'll be hard pressed to do any diagnosing over the internet concerning that leak and how to fix it. It could be as simple as a turbo return oil line or as major as the rear main seal engine leak.

In regards to the CEL (check engine light) that is an indication that something is definitely wrong. You can go to any auto parts store (ie: autozone) and they should be able to read the trouble codes for you through your car's OBD-II socket (located inside of your car, near the driver's seat (usually under the dash, but with your car, it could be inside the center arm rest). When they read your codes, write them all down and post them back up here on the site- then we can get a good idea what your car's computer says is wrong with it. The service light is just that- it tells you that you are due for an oil change. If it was done recently, someone might have forgotten to reset it. I believe that on your car to reset it, you just push in the trip odometer reset button BEFORE you put your key in the ignition and then while continuing to hold the button in, you turn your key to the second position (just short of starting your car) and when you either see your dash light flashing or an audible beep, you let go of it, turn your key off and it's reset. Hope this works...if not, it really can be ignored. It will go off after 2 minutes of starting your engine anyway.

Okay, I know there's a lot here to digest, but if you follow what I say to do and we start working on things with your car, I'm confident that we'll be able to get things going in the right direction to getting it fixed. It's too bad that you've already spent 2 grand on her. Was this with the dealer?

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 01 Jan 2009, 21:41

Yes, it was with the dealer. I am female and really, I have no idea about getting under the car

I do have someone who can go under the car and check for me.

I will have to do that tomorrow. Thanks for your information and I will try to reset the check engine light myself. I will get the scanner codes and send them to you tomorrow.

Thanks so very much!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jan 2009, 23:09

The whole point of this site is to avoid expensive dealer repairs. They are known to charge way to much and not fix things correctly. Of course, some are better than others.

If the under side of the car is so dirty with oil, that it is difficult to tell where the leak is coming from, when you go to the auto parts store, buy several cans of brake cleaner (they're cheap) and spray liberally under the car and then let things drip dry (it will smell and might even be bad to breath so do this facing up wind of the spraying). Things will dry quickly, but a lot of black stuff will drip down, so I don't recommend this in your driveway. Then take a look again. If you have a digital camera, some pictures under the car will be very helpful. Btw, you won't be resetting the check engine light (the auto parts store might be able to however with their tool after they read your codes)....you'll be resetting the service interval light. Good luck and let us know how things go.
Btw, I work in the public schools here in Knoxville.
-Dave

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 02 Jan 2009, 15:51

Hello,
We are having some rough weather here today so I will have to hold off on getting someone to check the problem today. I am hoping that someone can help me tomorrow.
Thanks again.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Jan 2009, 17:05

No problem. Take as long as you need. We'll still be here.

csquare6 · Post by **csquare6** » 09 Jan 2009, 13:37

Ok, I took the car back to the dealer. They looked at the car and told me that the screws were stripped and that I need to get a new engine. They said that is why the oil was leaking. Their advice was to buy a new car. They would also give me $1,500.00 on a new car for my old car.

They would charge me $6.000.00 to replace the engine. I do not want to buy a new car if my car can be fixed. What advice would you give me? I also spoke with a company willing to replace the defective engine for $4000.00-$5,000.00! I know that I can get an engine and have them do the work for $1,800.00. That is for labor only. I really need some educated advice about this problem.

Thanks