1990 Volvo 240DL Wagon with ~150,000 miles
Recent repairs: flame trap cleaned & front crankseal replaced

Yesterday my car started spewing oil - appears to be coming from end of camshaft on the firewall side. I can't really see much due to that end being so close to the firewall. Feeling in that area, I feel a stepped recessed area. What is normally in this area? Did something "blow" off the end - a cap or seal?

 

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-200/Engi...9-258-465-449/

 

Thanks for the link.

So at one point I had a rubber seal that went in the hole where I think the oil is spewing from? And the linked rear cam seal retainer will help keep it in place. I searched the internet for a rear seal but could not locate one. Is that something I can get/order from an auto parts store or a Volvo dealer?

So if I just had the flame trap cleaned, why now did the rear seal blow out? Do you think that it was forced part way out before the flame trap clean out and that regular pressure forced it the rest of the way out?

 

The rear cam seal:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/125

 

Thanks!

 

My Haynes manual does not cover anything about the cam plug. How do you install it? Is it installed from the cam side or the firewall side? Will I need any special tools?

 

You should buy a mechanic's mirror with an extension handle. It's handy for looking in tight spaces. Besides the cam seal, if you have an in-line distributor (B230 engine), the large green O-ring on the distributor shaft could have become worn down or broken.

 

Well the first thing you need to do is...Pick up your Haynes manual,walk to the trash can,open the lid,drop it in,and close the lid.Order a Bentley 240 service manual,best money you will spend on your Volvo.

You probably have a valve cover gasket leaking or the cam plug is leaking or missing.If your flame trap was plugged,the engine will build up excessive crank case pressure.This will cause various seals and cam plug to leak,and sometimes blow the cam plug out.

To replace the cam plug you need to remove the valve cover and the rear camshaft bearing cap.I posted a pic of where the cam plug is located.

The only special tool you will need is a torque wrench.

240's do not use a rear mounted distributor.


Dan

 

TURBO 245/Dan:

Thanks for your help. Sounds like you may be right about the Haynes manual - I can't believe that there isn't any mention of the cam plug or at least a diagram similar to the one the you graciously attached. Now I can get my "girl" back on the road again.

David

 

Good idea about the mirror. I also need one of those "oops" tools - a magnet on a flexible/retractable extension. You gave me a good excuse to go tool shopping!

 

I have the same problem, so thank you all for pointing me in the right direction.

It seems the problem was caused by a blocked crank case breather. Various pipes clogged with gunk. Mine was made more difficult because the breather pipes are tucked away behind the fuel injection system.