I tried synhetic oil in my V70 XC AWD. For 1 year and I have some small oil leaks from the turbo return line.Also by the front by the bottom of the radiator. Also a little on the top by the oil cap. Is this a flame trap issue of just the oil.Is it OK to go back to regular oil? I looks like a tough job to replace the seals for the turbo return line .With the AWD in the way. Also any info will be helpful.

Thanks
jpirish

 

Hello, Yes you can change back, no problem. It's all compatable. How could they sell "blends" if it weren't? Your flame trap and oil cap gasket are both throw away maintenance items. What year and mileage is your car? Couldn't comment on the lower radiator stuff. Kira

 

Mileage is 72K.Car runs great.Without the oil problem.It is great shape.I had the timing belt done at 65K.

Thanks for the help

 

Ok well lets start with, your car is a turbo....therefore there is no flame trap. You have oil trap for your pcv system. The oil you see below by your radiator is because on the stock intercooler there is a weep hole at the bottom to drain oil out so that it doesnt go into your throttle body. The seal for the turbo return line is very simple to replace. Its like a 4 or 5 dollar gasket and is held on by two bolts. Just put the front up on jackstands and chock off the back tires and youll be ok.
Goodluck

 

I have a 2000 XC with 110k on and I also had an oil leak problem; the turbo oil return line was leaking and there was also oil coming from where I couldn't even figure out. I replaced the turbo oil return line seals and still had oil on the back of the engine and couldn't find the source. Long story short, service your PCV system and most oil leak issues disappear - at least it did in my case. It was a headache replacing the oil return line gasket and seal, the angle gear is most definitely in the way - but it's not too bad.

 

fix your pcv before it leads to rms which is not such a fun job to tackle nor a cheap one for the non DIY's

 

There is a "sticky" here about oil trap fixing posted by one who finally gave up and returned to hypermileing with rebuilt Geo Metros. Given his name, I thought he'd be working on 1970s-1980's Camaros.

But the sticky is instructive and tells you in pictures that Volvo really, really likes complicated in some instances. Compare this work with the one minute GM /Ford PVC replacement. Oil filter change not too much different, except you're on the back side of the block. Well, it is easier, but still too complicated.