Need a couple of questions answered.
 

Hello guys/gals. I have recently purchased my first Volvo and am having several issues after owning the car for a couple of days. First off. I have a massive oil leak from the exhaust cam seal and and clogged pcv system. Can I get by for about a week by changing the seal and putting off the pcv system until next weekend? Second, poor fuel mileage. If I keep rpms under 2500 I average around 13 mpgs. I have pulled a datalog and checked fuel trims and voltage of the front 02 sensor. What could also cause this?

As of Sunday I have replaced air filter with a K&N, fuel filter, oil change, maf cleaning, checked plugs and resistance of wires. Checked distributor cap and rotor, replaced gas cap after a P0442 code. Check engine light was reset 45 miles ago and has not came back on and there is no pending codes found using a Genesis scanner.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

Hello, So you have a 1998...with how many miles? 1) If you're sure the PCV system is clogged then you're better off letting it vent through the already leaking cam seal. I imagine there's a possibility that replacing that seal would increase the chances of the main seal springing a leak. 2) My P0442 code was from a split "J" hose-a soft rubber like hose bent to conform to the charcoal canister. I read that other hoses in the EVAP system can cause this code. I blew into a 16" piece of garden hose I fit to the barb fitting on the black cylinder mounted on the filler neck. I heard my leak clearly hissing. Led me right to it. Try it, you might get that lucky. If it was just the gas cap, you're already lucky. 3) All I know about the front O2 sensor is that it is the one which makes fuel metering whack out. Did "pulling a datalog, checking fuel trims and voltage" from the sensor tell you anything? How do you measure that? Kira

I checked them using a Genesis scanner while the engine was fully warm. My short term fuel trims looked not excellent but good as well as my long term driving. The front 02 was at oscillating from .4v to .6v at idle very quickly and when going down the road it is the same until I floor it then it goes to .89v and then drops voltage quickly as I let off the accelerator.

I live 4 blocks away from iPd and will get the pcv kit and seal tomorrow. I agree with you about the oil leaking. Being a bit skeptic on an unknown vehicle and all I would hate to break other things on this car...

Thanks for the tip on the evap system. I was going to schedule an appointment for a smoke test. The car has 213k on it. Compression is from cylinders 1 to 5. 165 165 170 170 175

George; i am confused; how did you know his car was 98 MY?

Also is this turbo or non? Your MPG is terrible either way!

Deduction
 

Hello, Since this is the V70 board and eeeewidner stated that he tested his secondaries (cap, rotor and wires) I could conclude that his is from the only MY which came so equipped; unless he was from Europe where V70s were introduced in 1997. I wish I knew more about O2 sensors and readings and how to interpret fuel trim limits. Kira

Change that clogged oil trap ASAP and do not drive the car until fixed. I've seen those blow every seal out of the engine requiring a big $$$ repair.

I have seen it before on other Volvo's but not to the extent of blowing out several seals. I went to iPdusa today and purchased the kit and seal along with a new timing belt set.

After owning this car for a few days I have came to the conclusion that the previous owner just ran the car to it's current state.

Fuel trims and 02 sensor data is very easy to interpret if you know basic electrical measures. 02 sensors read from 0.01v to 1.0v. The lower the voltage indicates lean. the higher voltage is rich.

I changed out the pcv system and went up to the local Midas and installed a Innovative wideband 02 sensor. After an hour of tuning it and a 200 mile road trip to Mt. St. Helens and back the V70 is averaging 32mpgs....

Sweet, glad to hear that you get a grip on things. A lot of the mileage problems are due to after plugs and bad O2 sensors.