Oil leak
#1
Oil leak
I have a 1990 Volvo 240. I have developed an oil leak on the back side of my engine, looks to be splashing on the firewall, and coming down the passenger side of my engine. I find it hard to get my eyes in there and see exactly what it is. Any idea where this leak is, or what it is?
think maybe it's a rear cam seal? But not sure. Any other oil that can leak oil in that area?
think maybe it's a rear cam seal? But not sure. Any other oil that can leak oil in that area?
Last edited by Micah Terrell; 03-08-2017 at 11:47 PM. Reason: Adding more
#2
If it is a large leak, more than likely it is the rear cam plug. I have seen these blow out before when the flame trap has been neglected causing pressure in the crankcase. You should be able to feel back there (engine off) and see if there is a large hole. You can purchase replacement plugs but you need to address the flame trap issue, otherwise any replacement will just blow out again.
#4
How does your oil look? Does it look like a chocolate milkshake? Having yellow goo makes me think there might be water getting into the oil. This could be condensation but I would fear more that coolant is getting into there. That would tend to point to a blown head gasket.
When cleaning the flame trap, check to make sure that the oil separator is clear as well. The bottom tube off of the flame trap runs to the separator. Try blowing through. Air should move easily through it with no obstruction.
When cleaning the flame trap, check to make sure that the oil separator is clear as well. The bottom tube off of the flame trap runs to the separator. Try blowing through. Air should move easily through it with no obstruction.
#6
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#8
clean it all off with foaming engine degreaser, and add a vial of ultraviolet fluorescent oil dye to the engine, drive it a short distance, then inspect in the dark with a UV flashlight.
my hole engine and tranny were soaked in oil from a tiny leak at that turbo drain tube I mentioned earlier. it would blow back at highway speeds and cover /everything/
my hole engine and tranny were soaked in oil from a tiny leak at that turbo drain tube I mentioned earlier. it would blow back at highway speeds and cover /everything/
#9
i'd love to know what that "sensor" is, never seen it in any Red Block, this is a B230FT, right, not a six? It doesn't even look like a Volvo type connection, weird! If somebody tapped that in there, why? What is there to measure in that spot?
Apart from that, your oil leak seems to come from above and seems to have been there a while as there is a lot of old encrusted residue all over.
Where does that wire go to, from the sensor to where?
Apart from that, your oil leak seems to come from above and seems to have been there a while as there is a lot of old encrusted residue all over.
Where does that wire go to, from the sensor to where?
Last edited by lev; 04-03-2019 at 02:33 AM.
#11
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#15
Interesting. It's been there a while for sure. There is just an empty threaded hole in there in the block, what would anyone plug in there?
I guess next step would be to unplug the connector at the sensor, undo the retaining nut and see what's there. At least that's what I'd do... I doubt it has any function at this point, and no way to get a leak from there. You can always put it back in there and it'd be fun to see what's on the other side.
I guess next step would be to unplug the connector at the sensor, undo the retaining nut and see what's there. At least that's what I'd do... I doubt it has any function at this point, and no way to get a leak from there. You can always put it back in there and it'd be fun to see what's on the other side.
Last edited by lev; 04-08-2019 at 12:52 AM.
#18
clean off the oil, using a foaming engine degreaser, add a vial of fluorescent oil dye to the engine, drive a few miles and inspect it in the dark with a UV light. if you don't see a trace of fresh seapage, drive it a bit more, keep inspecting until til you do.
its probably a good idea to use the UV light BEFORE you add the dye to see if there's traves of any older dyes, and also to check what color your new dye fluoresces, I've seen orange, green, red, yellow. I have an inexpensive UV LED flashlight I got off amazon or ebay for a few $, thats more than adequate.
its probably a good idea to use the UV light BEFORE you add the dye to see if there's traves of any older dyes, and also to check what color your new dye fluoresces, I've seen orange, green, red, yellow. I have an inexpensive UV LED flashlight I got off amazon or ebay for a few $, thats more than adequate.
#19
#20