1993 Volvo 850 Oil Leakage! *Update*

[JavaJiver]

Okay...My previous vehicle died.
I looked at about 30 2003-2005 S60s and could not find the right combination of options and color etc.
I was about a step from just buying a new one and decided to see how much the head gasket on my truck would actually cost to fix. It was then that I spotted it...A blue 1993 850.

I jokingly asked the owner of the garage (VERY well respected in the town) how much and after negotiation, it cost me 800 more than fixing the truck would have (give or take).

At any rate...
I test-drove the car. Checked for oil leaking and saw none.
While he put gas in the tank, I looked at the spot where the car had been parked and observed no oil spots of any kind.
I asked him to look at the brakes because they felt a little off and he agreed.
I came back the next day and the car was in a different spot. Again no oil.
Test-drove the car from the garage to my office to the garage again...about 25 miles round trip. Again, no oil.

I buy the car and register it while he is inspecting it. Drive it to the office...It is dripping oil from the center of the engine compartment (at least that was where it was landing) The final amount was not much at all and about the size (when spread out) of cookie.

I called him immediately and they got it up on the lift. He said there was oil but could not see where it was coming from. Added engine dye and asked me to bring it back again...Okay fine.

This morning when I pulled into work and checked it, there was nothing dripping but the oil level was fine.

I have read a few of the posts on the site. Like I said it seems to be coming from dead center of the engine compartment so it should not be the front or rear seal right?

I have to say that I am baffled...And I have to say that I really really like the way this car drives and the options in it.

Oh and this site is great! My radio was making strange noises and now I know how to fix it.

One more question...
My antenna does not extend 100%. Can I just pull it out and clean it or will that damage it in some way? It appears to simply be very dirty.

[pfeener]

Clean the antenna with some WD40 and it'll be fine or if not, change out just the mast for short money.

The leak could be lots of things; anything as simple as a filler cap gasket or the turbo oil return line to something a lot more difficult (and expensive) like the RMS (rear main seal).

[JavaJiver]

pfeener thanks for the info on the antenna.

Good news on the oil leak. After much research and a day at the garage, my suspicions were confirmed. The leak was due to a bad gasket on the oil pan.

In addition, I found the scheduled maintenance guide for the car. Every single scheduled date on this car was stamped by the dealership that sold it up to 100k. Gives me a fuzzy feeling!

Now all I have to do is replace the burned out bulbs in the rear and Big V will be tip top.

Car was a steal in my opinion. Only body defects are on the spoiler and very front of the hood where the paint is a tad worn. Engine sounds great and while I would rather have a manual the transmission feels good.

[JavaJiver]

Update!

It was the rear main. After much work my mechanic finally pulled the transmission out. For some reason the drip was coming right down the oil pan making it look like the seal on that had gone bad.

I can finally pick my car up tomorrow after only...A week.

Yay!

[MadeInJapan]

How much did he charge for the rear main? If it was all part of the deal and he didn't charge you then you did very very well. This is something that eventually leaks anyway! Enjoy your ride! Ride them hard...these 850's love to be driven!

[JavaJiver]

He charged me nothing for the following:
Rear Main
Oil Pan was resealed
Oil Cap Gasket
Tire Balance and Rotation
Slight brake work
State Inspection

I figure there was easily the price of the car in what he agreed to do for free. Also because the leak was hiding itself so well he went over the car with a comb.

Last night I gave it a good drive (200miles) on the highway. At 65 it was smooth. 70 smooth. 75 a little rough. 80 bit more rough. 85 shaky. I think it would like to be aligned.

Now just waiting for the SC-816 to arrive.

[MadeInJapan]

Aligned, probably....but first do a tire balancing. If the tires are any good at all, and you don't have any pull left or right, then balancing of the tires will probably take care of the shaking. If not, then the alignment...do the cheap stuff first!

Oh, and by the way, make sure your spare tire is up to snuff. Worst story ever is when we had a flat hundreds of miles from home on a sunday evening to find our spare was bad....