My 1986 240 DL wagon has several oil leaks which my mechanic tells me come from: a) cylinder head, b) rear main seal, and c) oil pan. It'll cost me upwards of $1200 to fix. Is it worth it to fix or should I just put in heavier weight oil and continue to drive, or sell for the several hundred dollars the car is worth? I do not have the tools/know-how to repair myself.

Thanks for advice/opinions

John

 

I think it's worth it, but I love my Volvo. $1200 sounds high.

Given the choices, it wouldn't hurt to try a couple Bar's Leaks products.

http://www.barsproducts.com/

I normally don't recommend them and wouldn't use them myself. But, given a choice between paying $1200 or junking the car, I guess I'd try Bar's. If you use it be sure to follow the directions carefully.

 

Thank you. I am not that attached to the car so i'm not willing to invest that much money into him so I'll try these products.

 

I agree with the Goose, but it sounds like you can salvage it. Your mechanic may be taking you for a ride...although I hope not. Get some Engine Brite, get to the wash bay and go to town. Carefully rinse so you can see new leaks at start-up....it will help you to narrow the problem...best of luck...

 

Thanks for the advice. The sources of leaks were discovered after I had taken it to the the DIY car wash and sprayed it with engine cleaner so i'm pretty sure the mechanic wasn't taking me for a ride. Besides which, he recommended not putting in the money. I have put in Bar's rear seal leak stop stuff, so we'll see if things improve.

 

If you haven't done so alreay, you might clean your flame trap since the leaks may be caused by excessive crankcase pressure.

 

where is flame trap and how do I clean it?

Thanks

John

 

Definitely service the flame trap. I have a friend who claims (I'm a bit skeptical) that his main seals stopped leaking after servicing the flame trap.

 

See:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/16

Basically is a plastic disc with small holes, it prevents backfire from getting back into the block. Its hard to get at, under the intake manafold.

You may also consider the use of auto-rx (http://www.auto-rx.com/). It greatly reduced a front main seal leak on a 95 Plymouth I have.