I recently acquired a 240 turbo wagon, and to my dismay, it had an oil leak. After some research, it has come to my attention that a backed up flame trap can cause oil leaks in multiple places, which seems to be my problem. However, I've had considerable difficulty locating the flame trap. Does my wagon have one? If so, what's the best way to get at it?

 

Well, it had one when it came from the factory...27 years later who knows. The early 80's 240's have them hidden beneath runner 3 and 4 of the intake. You should see a juncture of two large vac hoses and a nipple sticking out w/ a small vac hose on it as well. The plastic piece that the three hoses connect to has within it a dished perforated device that is the actual flame trap. The original for turbos was made of brass but most replacements are white plastic. It's rather simple to clean the holes out on the brass one. Be careful pulling the small vac hose off the nipple; they break rather easily. A clogged flame trap (aka pcv) will definitely cause higher crankcase pressure but as to it being the source of your motors oil leaks is a different matter. Try this before you embark on cleaning the trap (which is probably filthy). Do what's called the jiggle test. Loosen the oil filler cap so it is simply resting on the valve cover. Start the motor. If it just sits there than crakcase pressure not an issue. If it sits there vibrating as if it wants to become airborn, then start working on the flame trap!

 

It didn't seem like it was vibrating a whole lot. I took off the cap and I could feel air coming out of the valve cover. And I replaced the oil fill cap because the gasket was weak. I was getting a leak from the oil fill cap before I replaced it. I'm not sure how to interpret that.

 

Well, if you feel much pressure at all the flame trap's probably blocked. That's the type of thing Americans ignore as it is unusual to them. If you flip your oil cap gasket over, it will seal for a bit longer until you can get a new one.

 

I got a whole new oil fill cap, so it's not an issue anymore. Also, I'm gonna get a relocation kit for the flame trap and see if a new filter eases the leaks.