Out of town, so I had a non-Volvo mechanic look at my 2005 XC70 which I bought about nine months ago from my Volvo mechanic. It was last serviced about three months ago when I had two new front axles installed, a new heater core installed, and OLF. It has about 130,000 miles and is well maintained. I've put about 12,000 miles on it in nine months.

Question: does this diagnosis sound like a big problem? (I hope not, just spent $3,000 on the last service.)

Mechanic Diagnosis:
- "leaking oil at the compressor housing of the turbo **
- "leaking oil at the oil pressure sensor"
- "possibly leaking oil at the oil pan gasket, but this may be residual from the sensor"

Any clues? Does this sound like a big issue (i.e. Turbo replacement)?

I've dug around Volvo forums and sometimes this issue is the hose connection into the turbo, or a cracked hose.

Thank you in advance.

 

turbos do have oil seals that can leak although that's not too common. Plus if those seals do go, its possible that they will leak oil into the exhaust not just a drip on the outside. What needs to be done is your shop should clean up around the pan gasket and sending unit as well as the turbo oil return line to see where any fresh oil comes out before it sprays around. PS I'd also add the oil filter housing to a possible cause of oil spotting. Obviously the most expensive repair will be a rebuild/replace of the turbo itself. There are shops who specialize in turbo rebuilds that you may want to check in for a second opinion if you get some bad news.

BTW, how much oil are you losing? I've had the turbo oil return line seal fail and the car sprayed out a quart in about 500 miles! There is no $.10 part that can cause a bigger mess :-)

 

It's possible it's just a hose or seal, not the whole turbo. Get a second opinion before you assume the worst, a Volvo specialist would be ideal. That oil pressure sensor leak is a separate issue, but hopefully an easier fix.

 

Two surprises. Took my XC70 back to the trusted non-Volvo mechanic to replace the inexpensive oil pressure switch. "Upon removal, previous oil pressure switch was replaced with some sort of thread insert that we aren't familiar with. Therefore, we have no way of properly replacing this component...." They reinstalled the old component, w sealer. No leaks for 15 hours, then the small leak resumed. Is this common? Why would a thread insert be added?

Surprise #2. The mechanic pulled my CARFAX, and it lists my big August 2024 work at my independent Volvo shop where I bought the car - new front axles and heater core (about $3100 total, by the book work, 2-year warranty). It also says "Cylinder head gasket(s) replaced." WTH?!???? News to me. Do items ever get accidentally inserted into CARFAX?

(Reviewed the car's history which included two new radiators and a new automatic transmission at 38,400 miles.)

Thank you in advance.