My 1995 Volvo 850 Wagon GLt (2.4, 5-Cyl., N/A) ...

Changed my spark plugs today....2 questions....

1. Why is there oil under the spark plug cover? It seems pretty fresh and collected in little pools along the the little metal pockets of the manifold - the only thing I could think was the little black hose that runs in the middle was maybe leaking? Could this related to the PCV system?

2. The center electrode tips (these were Bosch Platinum+4 plugs) are a bit black and the metal "arms" were gray.... the Haynes manual says the black is a sign of running rich. How do I check on this/adjust it?

Thanks for the help.

On a side note, she's running great.

 

Usually it indicates that the PCV is clogged, you might get lucky and have the problem just being at the oil cap gasket. The gasket is cheap and you either needone or will need one anyway. A good place to start.

Bosch Platinums have been the gold standard for all of my cars in the last 10 years. Volvos hate them. They are hard to find but you can get them through NAPA, pick up a set of Bosch FR7DC coppers and gap them at 0.028 (error on the small side). They are dirt cheap at about $1.50 or less each but they are what your car wants.The Bosch 2 and 4 prongs have the wrong gap and you can't accurately change it.

...Lee

 

Yes it is usually caused by increasing crankcase pressure due to retiring PCV. A new oil cap gasket will leak soon, if PCV is shot. I would replace the PCV as a kit (FCP Groton sells a kit that also includes the intake manifold gasket, which you'll need).

As to spark plugs, Lee gave you an accurate reply. I myself always liked Bosch platinum and never had trouble with them, but some people seem to have had trouble. It is best to go with OEM plugs for Volvos, though.

The factory manual seems to call for Bosch FR6DC or Champion RC9YC for Non-turbo. If you cannot find them locally, you can get them at a dealer, though they charge some mark-up for "Volvo" stamping.


JPN

 

Oh crap - that sucks - I got the Platinum +4 because that's what you guys told me to get!!

Argh!!

;-)

Oh well, i'm sure they're still good. Next time I guess.

 

They will be fine!!!!

 

So what i'm thinking is that I should replace the oil filler cap seal (Groton has them for 65 cents - I'm sure the local Napa or CarQuest has the same type) and then drive it a little while and see if the oil is under the spark plug cover again?

I really don't want to, nor can I really afford the $160, to change this PCV system....

ugh!

This sucks.

 

Yea, I know, I was just kidding.

 

Does anyone know of any good write-ups on changing the PCV? With photos?

Reading more and more on here and in the Haynes manual - I'm pretty sure all of my symptoms go along perfectly with a faulty PCV system.

Thanks.

 

FCP Groton sells two different intake manifold gaskets - how do I know which one I need? Do I have an EGR or not?

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvoeng850engine.htm

1995 Volvo 850 Wagon GLT (2.4L, 5-Cyl., N/A, Auto Trans)

EDIT:
Ok, I looked in the Haynes manual and it mentioned that an EGR controller would be above the radiator and would have 2 hoses and a wiring harness connected to it.

I checked the car, and sure enough I found that part - so I guess I do have an EGR then?

 

My bad, the FR7DCs are for my daughter'sPorsche.

[sm=oopssign.gif]

...Lee

 

I recently found this writeup:

http://lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/

One of the best I've seen so far, I haven't attempted it yet but did have a shop replace the oil trap and the car still leaks oil thru the RMS.

If you don't change it, the RMS will eventually blow out and you'll end up like me - putting in oil every so often or face an $800+ repair bill to fix the $11.50 RMS seal...

 

I've always liked Bosch +1, +2 & +4 platinums and never had trouble. Some people seem to have problem with +1 or +2, and I am assuming it is due to mishandling. In general, platinum/iridium plugs do not need to be gapped as they are pre-gapped at factory. A few people do gap them, but they know exactly what they're doing. I never gapplatinums because there is a chance of scratching away the platinum portion with the wire-type gap gauge. Many plug mfgs do not recommend gapping on platinums/iridiums.

They should work fine.


JPN

 

yep, this is the first thing i will be tackling early next month...

 

Did you ever get a engine light on because of a plugged pcv?, Ihave minor oil leaks and a code with system too rich, -25% fuel trim. Could this be pcv, or just maf?

 

MAF or vacuum lines i would think

 

What do you mean by RMS? Rear Main Seal?

What exactly is that? I had the engine swapped last year and while talking to a Volvo specialist mechanic about it he highly recommended that I tell the mechanic to replace the "rear seal" while he was at it. I had no idea what that was and just passed it along to my mechanic - he agreed and told (and billed me) for the job. I sure hope he did. Anyway... could that be the RMS you're talking about?

I'm attacking the PCV system this weekend - $140 in parts, i'm replacing everything in the diagrams i've seen (as well as the intake manifold gasket) - FCP Groton is getting them here by Friday - those guys are great!

Anything I should look out for? Or take care of while i'm in there?

Should I clean/service/replace/check-on the Idle Control Valve while in there? Any suggestions there?

 

Vacuum lines? What vaccum lines should I check? The ones going into the tree above the throttle body? Are there others that are important?

 

Vacuum diagrams:
https://volvoforums.com/m_90873/tm.htm

There is also a tree under the throttle body cover where some vacuum lines/elbows/tees attach to. I cannot remember exactly what were attached, could someone provide a pic on this?


JPN

 

Yea, I found those vacuum lines near the throttle body - a small vacuum tree.