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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    3

    Default Oil in spark plug area on 2005 XC70

    Hi - I have a 2005 XC70 with 170,000 miles - the engine started to miss and run rough, so I decided, as a starting point, to replace the spark plugs as they hadn't been replaced in many miles. When I took the cover over the spark plugs off I found quite a bit of oil, and two of the spark plug chambers had some oil in them. I'm not sure where the oil is coming from, but did see what looks like a breathe tube running right in the area where the most oil was.

    I did a little checking and the breather system could be the culprit, but I don't really know anything about how it works. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Pat Geraghty

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    13

    Default

    Did you look at PCV cleaning/ replacement? That will most likely clear that up. Its pretty easy to do yourself, and there is plenty of youtubes on it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,927

    Default

    2 most likely sources are 1) oil filler cap gasket, these get hard over time and doesn't seal well. Easy to replace and inexpensive 2) PCV as mentioned since it has a tube that goes right on the top. If this is leak source, then PCV system probably needs replacing. Info on how it works in my signature's link. Look under engine section. If PCV hasn't been serviced at 170k miles, its way over due as often clogs up ~100k miles.

    I think there is also a seam between 2 pieces of the head down the plug tube. Could also theoretically be the leak source if seal failed but never heard of failure here.
    Last edited by howardc64; 10-03-2018 at 01:23 PM.
    Past Volvos : 01 V70 T5, 01/02 V70XC, 02 V70 NA, 00 V70XC
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  4. #4

    Default

    I'm not disagreeing with the more senior members, but it seems to me that this could be the result of spilled oil during filling. If you miss the filler opening when pouring oil into the engine, it seems likely that it could end up on top of the spark plug wells. Not necessarily in them, but certainly on top. Just another thing to consider

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    1,196

    Default

    Oil can also travel up the spark plugs threads when the turbo is blown or PCV is fully clogged (separated oil has no way to escape but go to intake). That said, PCV is the most likely reason.
    2002 V70 (sold)
    2005 XC70 (Telos Road took it. Did a chassis swap)
    2016 XC60 (sold, P.O.S.)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Posts
    614

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vtl View Post
    Oil can also travel up the spark plugs threads when the turbo is blown or PCV is fully clogged (separated oil has no way to escape but go to intake).
    No it can't.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    1,196

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    No it can't.
    It can when the spark plug is not properly tightened.
    2002 V70 (sold)
    2005 XC70 (Telos Road took it. Did a chassis swap)
    2016 XC60 (sold, P.O.S.)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Western Head, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    3,089

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rydjor View Post
    Hi - I have a 2005 XC70 with 170,000 miles - the engine started to miss and run rough, so I decided, as a starting point, to replace the spark plugs as they hadn't been replaced in many miles. When I took the cover over the spark plugs off I found quite a bit of oil, and two of the spark plug chambers had some oil in them. I'm not sure where the oil is coming from, but did see what looks like a breathe tube running right in the area where the most oil was.

    I did a little checking and the breather system could be the culprit, but I don't really know anything about how it works. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Pat Geraghty
    Take a look at the crankcase vent hose that comes out of the head underneath the coils cover. I had the same mess on both my '05s this past summer and it turned out that the hose was cracked nearly clear around right at the fitting on the head. Reasonably priced fix (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...g-hose-8692217). Of course, you should have already checked the usual culprit which is the oil cap seal.

    Remember to always check the easy, cheap stuff before you go down the doom-and-gloom route even if the car has major miles on it. Its not always the worse possibility.

    Cheers,

    Bill
    Western Head, NS CDN

    '08 BMW 750i (Black Sapphire)-204K kms to-date
    '05 XC70 (Lava Sand)-296K kms to-date
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    And other Volvos and misc. Euro stuff

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by billr99 View Post
    Take a look at the crankcase vent hose that comes out of the head underneath the coils cover. I had the same mess on both my '05s this past summer and it turned out that the hose was cracked nearly clear around right at the fitting on the head. Reasonably priced fix (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vol...g-hose-8692217). Of course, you should have already checked the usual culprit which is the oil cap seal.

    Remember to always check the easy, cheap stuff before you go down the doom-and-gloom route even if the car has major miles on it. Its not always the worse possibility.

    Cheers,

    Bill
    +1

    Good advice.
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