Here we go again!! Oil leak in 98 XC.

[hogie50]

I have replaced the PCV pipes and catch tank, cleaned the PCV nipple and thought all was now good. My parents borrowed the car and after 750km came back with oil dripping from under the car. It looks like it is coming from somewhere at the front of the block and in the middle below the intake manifold. I am going to get Volvo to diagnose the problem cause (why is the crankcase/oil system over pressuring) but I thought I'd ask if anyone else has any ideas as I like to be prep'd for the worst. My thoughts are:

Still some blockage in the PCV system somewhere, the turbo seals are going, or the piston(s) rings are passing.

I was going to pull the manifold again to figure out where the leak was, but a buddy suggested waiting to find the cause first as maybe the leak will stop if the pressurising reason is fixed first. Good call. Thanks again.

[hogie50]

Is everyone out there asleep? 100+ views and no-one has any ideas!!?

I took the car to local Volvo dealer today and other than confirming no significant crank-case pressure, I am no further forward. Apparently they don't own an orthoscope or endoscope which is hard to believe these days!

It looks like I will have to pull the intake manifold again and find out what is leaking.

Anyone have a view on changing an older car (150k miles) onto synthetic oil? Years ago folks used to say that changing a car over to synthetic on older high mileage cars can case gaskets to fail. Is this still considered a no-no? I did and maybe this is my mistake?

[JRL]

You put synthetic in a Volvo at 150K??? :eek:
Not smart...you probably now have a RMS leak.

The ONLY car and I mean the only Volvo I ever put synthetic in at 140K is my 99T5.
Why, because I put in a new rear main seal when we installed a new clutch.
We also Seafoamed the engine and of course a complete new breather box assy, nipples and lines

[hogie50]

Hi JRL, thanks for giving a reply. Strange thing is if it is the RMS, why does it seem to be coming from the middle of the engine under the intake at the front of the engine? Doesn't appear to be oil at either end of the block.

Why put synthetic in a 150k Volvo? Have you lived in Calgary in Canada? We can get to -40 to -50C in the winter. The weather hear can get challenging and the synthetic oil makes the engines easier to turn over. My 93 850 with 125k on it runs synthetic fine as does my 90k Suburban with no leaks. Appreciate these are lower mileages, but with an older turbo motor want to give it a chance in the cold as we don't always have plug ins available.

I heard issues in the 'old' days with synthetic causing problems with oil seals and gaskets, but it was mostly caused by the synthetic being a thinner oil. I am using the same viscosity as normal 5W-30.

Interesting I see another person with a 2000 with a similar problem and oils from the same place (if I read what he says correctly).

Hopefully you are wrong this time, but I'll pull the intake when I get time and let you know how it goes.

[thebracko]

Did you use OEM oil trap parts? I've seen crappy aftermarket hoses crack when the Oetiker clamps are tightened.

This hose in particular:
http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/images_skus/12257S.jpg

[hogie50]

Ouch! I bought the kit from IPD but now you mention it this is the pipe in the area I think the oil is coming from. One I get a chance I will pull the intake and get a good look. Probably a week away from having time. Thanks for the heads up and I will let you know what I find.

[BEJinFBK]

FWIW, I've been running Mobil 1 5w-30 for 6 years now.
Just passed 124K in Alaskan miles. No Prob! [thumbup]

[hogie50]

Took car to Volvo to identify where leak was. Waste of time, so I have now pulled the intake manifold and on first view could not see the problem. Pulled the short pipe from the oil separator canister that runs 3 inches to the right horizontally and turns 90 degrees into the center of the block. sure enough as "thebracko" stated the pipe had split under the hose clip for almost 2-3cm. Hopefully if I managed it properly, the pictures are attached. I compared the original 'Volvo' part with this part and allowing for the age of the part, the 'new' part appears to be thinner and a softer 'silicone' type rubber. Possible cause is either me over-tightening the pipe clip supplied by IPD (it has failed under the pressure point by the screw assembly), or the clip is not compatible with the pipe material. Either way I have ordered parts from Volvo (now in) with the original type of clip Volvo use as this doesn't appear to have the same raised area pressure point.

I phoned IPD to advise of the problem, and they refunded the price of the part and the intake gasket.

[thebracko]

[thumbup]

(We're not all a waste of time at the dealer. ;))

[mesaAZ2000XC]

What was the result? I'm having the same issue...new oil trap (OEM) 9 months ago.