I am considering purchasing a 1984 240 B23F Volvo and do not know if the rear cam seal has ever been replaced. I know IPD makes a cover plate to prevent catastrophic loss of oil but is there a way to replace the seal without taking the engine out of the car? Thanks

 

Not sure if you understand what's behind the cam on the head. There is a half circle rubber plug. To replace it you simply remove the cam cover. If there is an IPD plate offered - it is overkill and simply a way to take money from your wallet for a problem that very rarely happens. The later B230 engines used a head that is shared with the 740/940 cars with the Distributor on the back of the head. The round plug used to cover that hole on the 240's is more likely to pop out due to old age or Pcv problems. The plug for the b21/23 is a 463416.

 

You're absolutely right--I didn't know that it was a plug rather than a seal. Do these plugs leak and should they be replaced periodically? Thanks for your help.

 

Sure, when you adjust the valves every 30k miles and have the valve cover off.

 

I didn't know that it was a plug rather than a seal. Do these plugs leak and should they be replaced periodically? Thanks for your help.

 

There is usually no maintenance for this plug. What happens a lot of times is people ignore maintenance on the flame trap/EGR systems on these engines resulting in flame trap clogging up. When this happens pressure to builds up in the crankcase. This plug is a weak spot and blows out resulting in a large oil leak.