oil Breather update

[lorenfrench]

Okay so I read allot about this project ahead of time so less surprises. What a PITA job. Really stupid design for something that needs service but I guess the engineers were forced to cram it all into a small space. Anyway, when I took the breather hose off that had the 17mm bolt on it lots of oil came out, is that normal?

[howardc64]

You took the banjo bolt off and a puddle of oil came out. I had the same thing on my 01 V70XC at 116k miles. I reasoned what happened is the following

- The 2mm channel in the nipple is blocked (mine was)
- oil vapor from the intake manifold can't exit through that channel
- oil vapor gather on the walls and form a puddle right in that corner of the intake manifold

Anyhow, your 2mm channel must be blocked?

[lorenfrench]

Howard, it turns out the oil was really coolant since they join there for some unknown reason. I had removed the tube coming from the thermostat and it came out. Not being versed in all this and also not tracking the liquid, I jumped to the conclusion it was oil. Funny how we override common sense about certain things!
Just finished the breather epic. Biggest deal was of course the almighty banjo fitting. I should have remounted it to the intake manifold before I remounted the manifold. However, I would never recommend for the DIY person to take the alternator and all the related stuff off because it's much easier to remove or loosen the intake manifold and use a closed end pivoting wrench to tighten.
Haven't started yet but seals are next so I'm still basically where I started, except I've eliminated the breather issue...maybe.