1996 850 Wagon Oil Everywhere Underneath, Very Rough Idle

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 09 Dec 2015, 16:48

And no Power.
No check engine light.
This is my son's car, he just called me, car had no power when he pressed the gas
pulled into gas station, found oil under passenger area, he's not sure if it is motor
oil or transmission fluid.
Idle now is very rough, no power, will not rev.

We will need a mechanic in Torrington Connecticut if we can't fix it ourselves. The
car is not worth much so we need a reasonable price.

Ideas on what went wrong?
We have not worked on it for months and have never pulled off a transmission line
or anything like that.

I told him if the oil smells like exhaust then it is engine oil, no report back yet on
that test.

Ideas?

Post by **scot850** » 09 Dec 2015, 17:04

Is car turbo or NA?

Neil.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 09 Dec 2015, 17:07

NA, non-turbo

My son says it is engine oil for sure.

He's living about 50 miles from here so if it is an easy fix I can go there
but more likely we will need a good mechanic in Torrington CT.

Post by **dosbricks** » 09 Dec 2015, 18:04

On an NA, oil leaking from the passenger side could be a blown front crank seal or front cam seal, but to have a substantial quantity leak out at once sounds more like a ruptured line on the PCV system which could at the same time produce a vacuum leak that could explain the rough idle and power issues. You can replace the PCV system yourself, but not a comfortable undertaking in CT in December unless you have an enclosed work area.

Post by **xHeart** » 09 Dec 2015, 18:37

What is the oil level on dipstick?
Was the oil and filter changed recently -- on schedule?

Post by **tryingbe** » 09 Dec 2015, 19:45

I'm afraid he might need a new engine. Oil on the outside of the engine is never a good sign.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 09 Dec 2015, 21:25

dosbricks wrote:On an NA, oil leaking from the passenger side could be a blown front crank seal or front cam seal, but to have a substantial quantity leak out at once sounds more like a ruptured line on the PCV system which could at the same time produce a vacuum leak that could explain the rough idle and power issues. You can replace the PCV system yourself, but not a comfortable undertaking in CT in December unless you have an enclosed work area.

We are in luck, have had the most unusually warm weather, and we are going to be in the
60s for the next few days - no problem.
So, assuming we inspect it and find that it is the PCV system, where is the best write up on
how to do the job?
And where do we get the best kit with original long lasting parts?

Thanks, very much!

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 09 Dec 2015, 21:27

xHeart wrote:What is the oil level on dipstick?
Was the oil and filter changed recently -- on schedule?

The oil and filter were changed 3 or 4 months ago and it is due for another change.

Post by **bskeels** » 09 Dec 2015, 23:59

So, assuming we inspect it and find that it is the PCV system, where is the best write up on
how to do the job?
And where do we get the best kit with original long lasting parts?

Robert, rspi on this site, has a series of good utube videos for repairs. You have a few choices in your area, fcpeuro.com in Milford CT, Tasca in Cranston, RI, and Premier Volvo in Watertown, CT.

Post by **pkc303** » 10 Dec 2015, 00:16

Does it have an oil line going to the radiator? I know the turbos have them, not sure about the NA.