We have a 2001 S60 2.4t with 197k mi. We have changed the oil with Mobil1 synthetic at 3-5k intervals, most recently 3 weeks ago and it has run very well with no oil leaks until yesterday. My wife was driving and she said she smelled oil and on the way home she reported the Engine Low Oil Pressure message came up. When she pulled in and promptly turned the motor off I notice oil dripping profusely on the right side. I added 1/2 quart, started the engine the message did not reappear. I also pulled the dipstick and found vacuum was present (PVC system)
I pulled the right front wheel and access cover, then started the motor. I observed oil dripping very rapidly from behind the crankshaft pulley and turned off the motor. I pulled the upper timing belt cover and the timing belt was wet, as was the upper portion of the head and the inside of the front cover.

I looked up from the bottom there was no leak from the turbo return line.

Is this the front seals (Crankshaft and camshaft) leaking or, would it be the oil pump or, something else I havent thought of. Someone has suggested the possibility of sludge. I dont think it is this since I use mobil! and change at regular intervals.

I am planning on puchasing a timing belt kit from FCP Groton with cam and crank seals. (It needs it anyway)


Thanks for your help!

 

the pcv system clogged up, this will happen even if you change your oil ever 500 miles, these systems are very complicated on volvos. first replace the whole system, replace your cam and crankshaft seals and pray that your rear main seal dident rupture.
what happens is the flame trap gets clogged up with gunk, you are supposed to clean the hoses and nipples every 50k miles as your service manual indicates.
i think its supposed to be completly serviced at 95 k miles
now if you dont clean it, it clogs and bulds pressure, your first indication is smoke wafting out of the oil dipstick tube and the oil fill cap while the engine is running, if you let it sit too long it will blow out all of your seals, coat your engine in oil then sometimes the "pressure" turns into a "vacuum" and leave you stranded and confused

IF YOU JUST REPLACE THE SEALS AND NOT THE WHOLE PCV SYSTEM THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN THE NEXT TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR!

it about 500 in total to do it yourself.

 

+1 With Nich. Many people do not service the PCV system. I think it's one of the top three neglected service points on the Volvo and can be as costly as the timing breaking, replace/repair the head and then do the system.

On the 850's and x70 cars the system cost about $150. I have done several of them myself, takes about 5 hours if you are slow like me.

 

Thank you Nichals and rspi this confirms what I thought but, I am still learning about Volvos. I was going to do the pcv and timing belt/water pump service after I replaced the clutch in my other car when this happened. It was running so good up to this happening, I guess I shouldnt have waited. Now I get to seal up the front side as well. Live and learn

I have already ordered an OEM PCV kit and Timing/ water pump front seal kit from FCP Groton.

Is there instructions on performing these services anywhere? I have seen them for the 850, but not the S60 2.4t.

Thanks again!

 

Google it and you'll likely find links for it. My guess it Matt's site or SwedeSpeed.

 

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=28487

this is an older car but the method is primarily the same, just make sure you replace the oil trap, flame trap, and make sure all your hoses are clear and if not replace them don't simply clean them out because it's too much of a pain in the butt to have to do this again after another 20k miles or so

after it's done, for the last 500 miles before an oil change run sea foam through your intake system and your oil system. every other oil change even would be much better than never doing it.