After my first oil change I clean out my flame trap replace my leaky valve cover. No more drips atleast for a while although my oil cap does still leak. Then I get a leak out of the rear cam seal. I check my crankcase pressure by using the upside down oil cap method seems fine. There is definitely positive pressure coming out of the cap though. So I replace oil sepatator box and clean out flame trap again (within 4k miles) also replace rear cam seal. Still leaking out the oil cap btw.
Now it looks like I'm losing oil from one or more of the front seals. What gives? Is this just a coincidence? I don't expect oil seals to last forever but seems weird how they keep failing in this car. Is there supposed to be positive (blowing out) pressure coming out of the oil cap if only slightly?

 

When you cleaned out your flame trap did you check the little vacuum tube that runs from the small nipple on the flame trap to the intake manifold? If it is clogged the flame trap system does not operate properly. Pull the small tube off of the flame trap and try blowing through it. If it passes air then it is fine. Also check the small nipple on the flame trap for clogs.

 

That was my first thought too. Replaced that tube already and I checked that nipple on the flame trap too.
Are you saying it sounds like I am having PCV issue?

 

Well most oil leaks on the B230 engine start when the flame trap clogs. Cleaning it sometimes stops leaks but nothing will stop a worn out seal from leaking. You don't mention the mileage on the car or whether you have replaced the front seals. Whenever I get a 240 of unknown history, I always change the front seals when I change the timing belt the first time.

 

She's got around 80k now with a relatively fresh timing belt.

 

Could be the oil cap itself. When I first got my 240 I put some aftermarket oil cap from AutoZone on, and it started leaking within about a week. Got a new oil cap from the Volvo dealership, and it never leaked from that spot after.

Also, what model and year exactly are you talking about? Older 240s don't have a PCV system.

 

afaik, no 240/740/940 4 cyl has a PCV valve, the seperator box -> flame trap -> breather tube is the crankcase ventilation. turbos feed the fumes from the seperator box over to the air pipe between the MAF and the turbo intake.

 

Ok guess my terminology is wrong. Is there supposed to be pressure albeit very slight coming out of the crankcase?

 

ideally the crankcase runs a slight vacuum. too much positive pressure and seals start blowing.

 

Makes sense thanks pierce. Now I need to find out where this vacuum is going....

 

The little vacuum line that goes to the flame trap connects to a small nipple on the intake manifold. Did you make sure that nipple isn't clogged?

 

Yeah I've checked that nipple and it will leave a tiny hickey on my finger.... The other fatter hose going into the intake also sucks good too. No jokes please..😃
What else is left?

 

Have the front seals been replaced? What about the oil filler cap gasket? You stated that the timing belt was replaced but you didn't say the seals were.

 

Not sure if the seals have ever been replaced. I doubt they have.
Oil filler cap has been replaced yes, flipped, replaced, not doubled up yet...

 

Normally I change the front crank seal at the 50K timing belt change. Also clean the flame trap and check the cam seals both front and back. Somewhere around 150K miles ago the flame trap plugged and I got a leak from the rear engine (crank) seal. It's still leaking some because I just don't want to pull the tranny to replace it. I also have vented the cam cover into a oil recovery can which relieves the blow by. If you want to find a leak just get a bottle of dye and a UV light and you can find the problem.

 

My fear is that I go through the work of replacing the seals only to blow them again. I think I've checked all the parts of the crankcase vent, but with the leaking oil cap it just leaves me a little unsure.... One last question my oil cap is like a cheap looking yellowish coated steel piece, is this a crappy aftermarket cap?

 

stock oil caps are black plastic on top, like this...

 

So I finally got a chance to change the seals, low and behold the middle (intermediate) seal looks to have completely pushed. Which is good I guess.
But as I was buttoning her up making sure my tensioner was functioning I rolled her forward (with plugs still in). Using the cam bolt I seemed to have "jumped" some sort of internal chain😩. Meaning I accidentally advanced this chain.... I double checked the timing belt and it's good.... Haven't started it yet I also re sealed the water pump and have to adjust ALL those belts too.
Is my car a scrap heap now?

 

there are no internal chains, there are only the crankshaft, intermediate shaft (oil pump, and 240 side-mount distributor), and camshaft, connected by the timing belt.

these are non-interference engines so even if the timing belt is completely out of whack, the pistons can't hit the valves.

so I dunno why you think you've destroyed it.

 

Well that is good news, first day of a new job on Monday and I was sweating...
Will sleep easy tonight thanks again Pierce!

One last question....
Is there supposed to be something besides this plasticy gasket thingy on the upward hole (towards cam) of the water pump housing?
Seems hardly able to seal.