So I've had some pretty good luck with the car. This will be a gift to my niece who is graduating high school in about 2 weeks.




So far:

• Got the starting problem fixed - $69 starter motor, new, from Amazon
• Got the radio working again
• New seat covers
• Deep clean
• Detailed engine

Items left on the list:

• 2 new rear tires
• AC not working - that may not be addressed...
• Oil Leak

The oil leak is located on the passenger side of the engine towards the back. I cranked down a few bolts on the pan but there are a few I couldn't reach because a cross member was in the way. Leak will leave a spot the size of your palm after driving. That's enough to worry me. It looks like it might be coming from a leak in the oil pan but not sure. I've sprayed engine cleaner and washed the area so hopefully tonight I can see better.

My question to the group is, "what kind of costs do repairing these leaks run usually?" I'm not going to do this one myself and want to have some perspective when I bring the car to an indy shop.

THANKS!

 

if its leaking from the head-block junction back there, you're looking at a head gasket. but that usually seeps coolant when its starting to fail, not oil. I've never had any leaks from the oilpan-block junction but thats just over a personal history of like 6-7 volvos...

 

Depends on WHERE the leak is coming from. It could be as simple as a valve cover gasket leak. Usually oil will leak out the rear seal of the gasket and run down onto the oil pan. First clean the entire area really good with some brake clean. Then with the car running jack it up in the air and look to pin point the leak with a flash light. If it's just the valve cover and rear cam plug you could do that yourself for about $15 or less. Or you can also try tightening the valve cover nuts....they always come loose. If it's a rear main seal you are looking at a minimum of $500? Just depends where you bring it. The seal is only $8.00 it's the labor! Really the only place oil would leak from the pan itself is from the drain plug. The oil can not rise above the pan seam and it has only one way to go...down, cannot go up. It is most likely a bad rear cam plug and valve cover gasket or just loose check that first then check rear main. Check also to see if your front oil seals behind the timing belt cover are leaking,oil can leak down and back...usually never coming from the spot you see covered in oil...tricky lil boogers If it is a rear main or front seal leak you are going to want to make sure your oil seperator and flame trap are clear if they are plugged, this will just cause the seal to blow back out...Good luck!

 

Thanks folks - in the records that came with the car the valve cover gaskets and flame trap were done recently. I'm going to go over the valve cover gasket bolts and make sure they're good and tight.

I fear the rear main seal...

Good input on the pan - glad to know the oil is below the lip of the pan - very likely that's out.

Once I've done a full inspection I'll post back what I've learned.

THANKS!

 

I'd say rear main seal if it appears to be coming from the oil pan, the pan slopes towards that side of teh car.
Before you get too upset about it, the PCV systems in these cars are known to clog up with age and pressurise the crankcase, so a good going over of that system may yeied good results.
Failing that, rear mains aren't an horrendous job on these engines, the seal sits in a bolt on aluminium casting that is easily removed once the transmission is pulled out.
Volvo quotes 3.6 hours for main seal replacement and frankly, I'd happily pay a shop to do that, with the luxury of a hoist etc to make it easy for them. Of course, if you have the ability to raise the car, support trans and slide it back, it's an easy enough job.
But look into the PCV system first.

 

AGREED. Check your oil seperator and flame trap(PCV) if you are lucky the seal might not be all the way pushed out and once you relieve the pressure it may stop the bleeding...Yes, rear main seal without the proper tools is not fun...it's obviously not rocket science (nuts n bolts) but without know how or proper set up...it's best to just bring it on in to your local Volvo mechanic...Good luck!