Oil disappearing

brtff20 · Post by **brtff20** » 12 Mar 2010, 08:51

I'm baffled by the loss of oil i am experiencing. I had an issue with it leaking from the filter housing after I took it in for anoil change, but I corrected that. I can't find any other leaks. I assume I could be burning it, but my exhaust doesn't seem to show that. I haven't gauged exactly how much I lose at what rate but I need to add a quart or two every week or two depending on the amount of driving I do. Anybody have any ideas on where it could be going?

Post by **phils94850** » 12 Mar 2010, 09:12

i went thru kinda the same prob. with my 850. It seemed like i was loseing oil and couldnt find a leak, well... the leak has finally shown itself. It looks like i may have a leaking rear main seal. Check and see if you have any oil leaking out of the lil hole underneath where your trans and engine bolt together.

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Mar 2010, 12:23

Pull off that Volvo 20V spark plug cover on top of the engine, and I'm willing to bet you'll find tons of oil pooled under there. You can work it off with the intercooler pipe over the top still on, at least on my engine, but it's a tight squeeze.

If your PCV system hasn't been cleaned (check by pulling out the oil check stick after the engine is warmed up & idling & looking for smoke puffing out the opening), it will blow out oil through your engine seals.

If this is the case, you'll need to clean the PCV system - there is a good writeup for doing this on a turbo model here:
http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/index.html

The PTC nipple is an important step, many neglect to do this.

After that, you can replace the oil cap seal, which should be replaced every year or so anyway to keep the top of your engine clean. Don't replace the seal without cleaning the PCV system or you'll start blowing out other seals like your cam seals and RMS like Phil has...those aren't nearly as easy to fix as just snapping a new one on the oil cap.