I'm afraid I have an issue brewing here. I'm having oil seepage under the spark plug cover. I've done some searching and now believe the infamous vent box/oil trap is clogged. I regulary clean out the flame trap. Thanks toallof the other posts on this subject, I now have a plan. However my question is howdoes the vent box get clogged? Is it by the collection of oil in the box?

 

It usually gets clogged due to lack of oil changes.

See Volvo came up with this bright idea to make the services every 7,500 which in my opinion it is way to long. Then people forget at 7,500 to go and get it done. Next thing you know it is 8,000 or 9,000 miles later. Sludge has already built up.

Or even sometimes even at just 7,500 it just starts sludging depending on which type of oil was used.

 

Today I cleaned up the oil the best I could and took it for a spin. Looks like the oil cap might be ok...but the hose connecting to the head at the clamp might be leaking? Looks like the only thing to do is replace the whole hose..#15. If I do that I might as well replace the whole thing.

 

Here's 2 pics...before andafter the drive.

 

I've decided to change the oil cap gasket anyway. Since the pressure now willNOT be coming out of the oil cap, it should be directed down to the vent box correct?

Is a clean flame trap worthless if the vent box is already clogged?

 

It could be either.
If the vent box is clogged the flame trap being clean won't help at all.

 

Thanks Tech. So I want to find out if the vent box is clogged before replacing the oil cap gasket. I want to make sure there a place for the pressure to go to first.
Do you still suggest running the car at 4-5k for a couple minutes then pulling the dipstick and listen for pressure? If there is pressure release, then there's a clog somewhere.

Any other suggestions on testing the vent box?

 

Do you still suggest running the car at 4-5k for a couple minutes then pulling the dipstick and listen for pressure? If there is pressure release, then there's a clog somewhere.

Yes do that and see what happens.

 

I ran the car at 4k for 3mins..then turned the car off (thought maybe I wouldn't be able to hear if engine running), pulled dipstick and didn't hear anything. Is there another way to check to make sure?

 

Not beside removeing it and inspecting everything good.

 

Can you tell I'm really trying to avoid replacing the vent box? I was thinking...my flame trap is clean, why is oil pressure coming out of the oil cap and not down the vent box out through the flame trap? It must be clogged. I'm refusing to believe it. I didn't hear anything out the dipstick.

If I do replace the oil cap seal it may cause a leaking elsewhere in the engine.
OR....what if the oil coming out of the oil cap is not due to pressure, just splattering of oil on the cap?

 

The only way to find out for sure is to replace the seal.
I am in the process of trying to make a Pressure testing system that will allow to test crank case pressure.
Once I figure it out I will post how I made the tool.
Trying to figure out how low of a gauge I need to use.

 

That sounds interesting Tech.. Maybe you're on to something where all oil caps in the future will have built in pressure testing capabilities.
I'm not replacing the seal yet..I would hate to have cause a leak in the rear main seal or something. Maybe I'll just live with the oil under the cover for now, until I'm ready to just replace that box.

 

You really should do like I suggested earlier.
Have someone rev it while you watch and make 100% sure it is leaking there.

The seal on the cap won't really hold all that much pressure.
Also the cam seals should leak before the rear main if it is from pressure.

 

I did forget to mention that I do believe that it is coming from the oil cap now.
Cam seals go first ? Good..that's much easier repair?

 

Yes Cam seals are starting to leak.
Starting to see alot of them lately.

Yours aren't all that bad be glad it isn't a 99.
VVT [:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]