Cost of Replacing Accessory Belt and Tensioner?

[Aviator]

diagnosed it as coming from the gasket between the engine and bell housing.

There's no gasket between engine and bell housing!! Rear main seal leaking perhaps?

Dave.

[cheapo]

There's no gasket between engine and bell housing!!

No wonder I can't find it at any of the online dealers!

I've been reading up, and I'm feeling pretty bummed about all this.
I've read that a clogged PCV system can cause high oil pressures that can cause an RMS leak...so now I have to consider the possibility that I will have to pay for a PCV overhaul/replacement in addition to the RMS repair...
Or, maybe the oil is leaking from a failed camshaft seal, and running down the back of the engine so that it looks like an RMS leak. And maybe some Seafoam would unclog everything or some Bar's Leaks would magically reseal the RMS. And on, and on.

I don't mind paying if I know it's going to fix a problem, but when one problem just leads to the next, car ownership becomes pretty depressing.

[Aviator]

Rear crank seal, rear main seal, rear crankshaft seal, sealing ring.

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V70XC70-...-379-503-4000/

This should help.

Dave.

[cheapo]

...and my DIM information display started doing this today.

[Astro14]

OK - I haven't had this motor apart yet...but there shouldn't be any cam seals on the rear of the engine...only the front (passenger side, where the timing belt is that drives the cams...).

So, if it's leaking on the rear (driver's side) of the engine...it's a good bet that it's the rear main because it's the only thing there...

But, as you say, PCV problems can cause that, and I am guessing that you're near the mileage where PCV (flame trap) can become plugged. Further, your indy washed the engine and diagnosed it, so proceeding on the assumption that he was right, I would replace the flame trap system to preclude excess pressure on the engine seals, you're about due anyway...

Next step is an oil change with a good high mileage synthetic oil (synthetics clean better, and the high mileage formulations contain seal conditioners that soften seals and reduce leaks). I recommend Mobil ONE in 5W30. It will help clean the engine (likely you've got sludge anyway...) and soften the seals...http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...age_5W-30.aspx

IF you're lucky, the new flame trap and the new oil will eliminate the leak at its source...

If not, well, then it's quite a pain to pull the trans and replace that seal...

On my old Volvo 850 wagon, I had a leaking rear main...I didn't know about flame traps...when I finally got around to replacing the flame trap, it was using a quart every 300 miles. After I replaced it, consumption went down to a quart every 800 miles...the car had 185K on it at the time...and at the time, oil was a lot cheaper than pulling the trans to replace the seal.

Wish that they were making high-mileage oil then...you bet I would have tried it! by the way, what year is your XC? How many miles?

cheers,

[cheapo]

My car is a 2003 with 218,000 km (135,460 mi).

[Astro14]

That's about the age/miles when the Flame trap seems to get plugged up...I personally haven't had the issue yet, but there are plenty of posts on it. You can get the whole kit from IPD: http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-V70XC70-...-379-927-4728/

Having done this on my 850 years ago, I would get the kit and replace all of the components...it's a pain to get in there and find out you need one more hose or fitting...it's a reasonable job if you're mechanically inclined, the only real special tool is a torque wrench to re-install the manifold.