Hello all, I've been reading through the forums and everyone seems incredibly knowledgable and reliable..so, here goes. (Please bear with me, my knowledge of cars is pretty pathetic, I apologize for awfully vague descriptions)

I drive a 1996 850. I've noticed over the past few months that my engine is leaking oil . There is a belt next to the engine (on the right side if you're facing the windshield), and if i look between the running loop of it, you can see it drip. It has been leaking all over the silver block that is behind the engine and started smoking pretty badly. I was driving the car a few months ago (only to work, 6 minutes, no highway) but since it started smoking, I haven't been driving it at all. I want to get it repaired and I've been saving the $$ to do so (because I'm pretty broke) but it'd like to get an idea of what kind of repair this would be/how much it might cost me/who I should bring her to.

It also seems as though oil is leaking out of the cap on the top of the engine, but I can't be too sure. Finally, somtimes when I shut my car off, even after the short drive home from work (when I was still driving it) the front grill fan (oh man, my technical knowledge is so sad, I'm so sorry) will stay on and running for a while.

I know that it's not a lot of information and it's hard to quote any type of repair without actually seeing the car--but I wanted to see if maybe you guys might have an idea. I really love my car and I want to be able to fix it, but I'm pretty down on funds.

On a side note: Are there any Long Islanders out there that have a good repair shop or someone they might be able to recommend? I just moved out to Suffolk County last summer and I don't know any mechanics out here.

 

Okay, so I finally found the search for this forum--and maybe it's the PCV system? I took these pictures over my lunch break, hopefully it will help:

This is where , if you look past this thing, you can see the oil leak. it's not a belt as I original said


This is the "silver block" that i referred to above (also cleaned off):

This is my engine, I recently had the oil cleaned off of it, but this is after one short drive




Any help would be appreciated, I'll gladly take more/more detailed pictures if requested and will definitely answer any questions.

/here's hopin'

 

First thing I would try is real simple: A new gasket for the oil filler cap. You can do this yourself. Take the cap off and replace the rubber seal. It's that black cap right in front of the V in Valve.

Don't worry about the fan that keeps running after you shut off the engine. It should not run more than a couple minutes and is normal.

With the engine running pull out the oil dip stick (thing used to check the oil) and see if any smoke is coming up out of the hole. If so, you probably need to have your PCV system serviced. Not sure the cost of doing this, but not a do it yourself type thing unless you are pretty mechanically inclined.

Hope this helps some.

 

Jim! Thank you so much for your advice. Do you know if I can pick up that rubber seal at a local autozone or something? I checked the oil level today and there is a thick white gunk around the dip stick holder. Does this mean that I have water getting into my engine? If so, maybe it's the gasket for the oil filler cap, as you said. Do you think the leak might be linked to this, or might it be an independant problem, apart from the rubber seal?

Once I replace the rubber seal, what can I do remove the "gunk" (I'm sure there's a technical term for this--maybe oil emulsification)?


That said, I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I can fix electronics and computers and things, and I'm thinking about maybe tackling the replacement of the odometer gear one of these days. I just don't know the names of anything so it makes me appear pretty clueless.

 

My God, that is a serious.....common problem on the 850. Most likely your PCV components have never been serviced and the pressure inside the engine is forcing the oil past wherever can leak.

As for parts, many of us use the following on-line vendors:

FCP Groton
http://www.fcpgroton.com/index-exec/

eEuroparts:
http://www.eeuroparts.com/home.aspx

When you replace parts on Volvos (or on any makes), make sure to go with OEM parts (Original Equipment Mfg; those are the same parts used by the manufacturing plant & dealers). The oil cap gasket is less than a dollar.

If you have a basic set of metric socket tools, you can replace the PCV components but the intake manifold (the metal piping that is connected to the engine, between the engine & the radiator) has to come out too. FCP Groton sells a complete PCV kit that comes with a new intake manifold gasket.

The white gunk on the dipstick is most likely moisture condensation. If you drive the car for frequent short trips, water collects inside the engine, and for some reason it is more so on the 850s.Take your car for a half hour or so/week of freeway driving with the engine at normal operating temp (the temp gauge on the instrument cluster should point at 3 O'clock position). If you're concerned of the head gasket, check to see if the coolant inside the reservoir has signs of oil/fuel + try to smell for fuel. Do this when the engine is stone cold; overnight is the best. Also, see if the exhaust gas has consistent white smoke with coolant odor. White smoke in colder climate during warm up is normal.

If you wish to work on your car, I would recommend getting a Haynes repair manual. Also, if you'd like to gain your knowledge, I would buy one book that teaches you the basics about cars.

I hope this helps.

EDIT: There are different PCV kits for turbo & non-turbo engines, and since yours is a non-turbo, make sure to specify should you decide to buy the kit, and have your VIN just in case.


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/D4792FC18C06449F9DD7CA07ACFDCE4B.jpg[/IMG]

 

Jim and JPN, you guys are awesome. Thank you so much for your help!

I've been checking through FCP Groton and I can only seem to find the PCV Kit for the Turbo--I guess I'm not realy sure what category to search under. So far, this is what I've found:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/64

I think I'm definitely going to pick up the manual you suggested, I'll definitely let you guys know how it turns out!

 

I'm a little late to the party, but..... I have personally fixed two 850's with a similar problem. I too belielve that if you replace the oil filler cap gasket and service the PCV system, your problem should be easily taken care of. JimKW and JPN know what they are talking about.

Glenn

 

Okay, so I haven't ordered the PCV yet due to funds, but I really hope that will take care of the issue. I did check the oil filler cap and it looks okay, and the white gunk that was in the dipstick case is now myseriously gone.

In other news, I'm getting kinda scared of doing this myself. I keep reading other people's walk-throughs and I feel pretty dense not understanding 90% of the terminology. So, I'm thinking I should go somewhere to have it serviced.

Anybody out there from Long Island? Maybe you guys might know a good place to have serviced? I'm kinda on the broke side of life, though--so I'm not sure when I'll have the money. I'm supposed to move this weekend and I don't know what I'm going to do with my car, or if it'll be safe to drive the 10miles to the new place. Or, if there's someone from LI around, I make delicious food and would love the learning experience.

So, any ideas?

 

That is a nice one. I wish I were still in New England region but at the moment I'm stuck in Japan so this option is out.

As long as the timing belt was replaced within the last 70,000 miles or 5 years, it should be OK to drive for 10 miles or so. The moisture on the oil dipstick was of no concern; it was just a usual condensation.

When you look for a shop, I would suggest that you try to find one that specialises in Swedish/Euro makes and the shop posts "ASE" sign, and have one of their ASE Master Technicians service your car. Trying to cheap out on a shop could cost you more later. And note, that recommendations from friends/relatives who don't know much about cars is almost always useless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automot...ice_Excellence

Although I cannot guarantee, PCV kit replacement is within an average person's capability, as long as safety precautions arefollowed and you have the basic set of metric tools. Or, you could perhaps ask your family/relative/friends/coworkers for help? I think a delicious dinner would be a lot less expensive than having it done at a shop, but if you want peace-of-mind, yes have it done at a shop. If a shop is willing to accept parts from customers, it can save money and you know quality parts (OEM) were used, rather than some bogus parts from...[8D]


JPN