Hey i am trying to diagnose an oil leak on a 1995 850 turbo. My girlfriend was just basically given the car but its leaking a ton of oil. Im trying to see if i can find all the leaks myself. I found one, theres a pin hole leak in one of the oil cooler hoses but the the other one im not too sure about. At first i thought it was the turbo oil return line but after looking further into it i dont think thats the problem. I traced it back to a spot on the rear of the engine on the driver side. maybe Rear Cam Seal. I attached some photos I took of the area. If anyone has any input on what it might be or what i could look at that would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

Well, the first thing I would do, obviously, is replace the oil cooler line. Then I would try to degrease the motor so that it's clean, then drive it - it'll be a lot easier to find it that way. If it's a rear cam seal, you're in luck, because those are not hard to change and aren't expensive.

 

I traced the leak back as far as I can see and i think i is where it is leaking from (not a point higher up. Im just not sure what it is that could be leaking I attached photo showing where i think the leak is coming from. Does anyone know what this is? Is there a way i can check the RMS without taking a bunch of things apart?

 

its on the drivers side right? its your rear sel. not 100% sure

 

driver's side, just took off the air box to get a better look and theres a ton of oil build up right above where the engine and transmission meet, just put some degreaser on it, gonna rinse it in a few then start up the engine again to see if i can pin point it a little better. Is there anyway i can check the RMS specifically to be sure. From what ive read its a pretty lengthy job and i dont want to go through all that just to find out its something else. The input so far is greatly appreciated, thanks for your help guys. Ill see if i can take some more pictures next time i post.

 

here are a few more pictures, not sure how helpful they are but the majority of the oil build up is behind those wiring harnesses. What do you guys think. I may just try to replace the RMS and hope thats what it is but if anyone has any other ideas that would be great. What do you guys think?

 

from what am viewing l am certain its your front cam seals on the drivers side. uninstall the distributor cap and see if oil

 

dont remove the spark wires from the distributor cap, just unscrew the three screws and it will easily come off

 

thats what it is took it off and saw oil inside then started it up and when i shut it off oil just started to pour out. Thank you so much i really appreciate it. just saved me hours of useless work.

 

Deleted: went back to Volvo school.

 

These cars do not have a distributor that you have to rebuild. The rotor attaches to the back of the camshaft. So there is a plate, rotor, and cap, that's it.

I have a used rotor and cap that is a few years old and pretty clean if you need them. Just PM me.

As for the oil leaks, they are likely caused by a plugged PCV system like the prince said. You can replace the seal, they are between $11 and $25 at the steeler, depending on how your stealer is. If the PCV is really plugged up it will try to push another seal out, the next time you may not be as lucky and may blow a RMS. The only way to replace a RMS on these cars is to pull the motor or drop the trans from underneath.

Nice catch Slim.

 

Cam Seal Replacement, rear, 1998 Volvo S70 GLT - Volvo 850 Cam Seal Replacement

 

Should have gone out and checked first.

If it's leaking out the cap then it would be the cam seal that is leaking

That was easy.

Cam Seal Behind The Distributor Leaking - FWD/AWD 1998 and Prior - Volvospeed Forums

 

@Robert, what is RMS?

 

Rear Main Seal

The seal on the back of the engine between the engine and transmission. They need to be separated so you can get to it.

 

thanks brother. never knew about that.

 

At least you haven't been in there and just overlooked it like I did with the "distributor". I've already replaced the cap and rotor and I didn't notice that there wasn't a separate, physical distributor. Opps

 

Yes, there is a couple of car terms you never want to HAVE to learn. RMS, Head Gasket, Timing Belt Broke and Burnt Valve.