A while ago my V70XC was given a death sentence. I spent almost the past two months looking at used cars. Blah, blah, blah...most the back story not needed here.

I financed a 2004 XC90 2.5 on Friday. Everything happened so fast and so late that I wasn't able to get it to my Volvo mechanic to look the car over for me. Clean car fax, I checked all fluids, listened to the engine parked idling with the hood popped and paid close attention driving. I know it is a 10 year old car so some things are going to be needed here shortly. So I took the leap (and I am still holding my breath).

Let's get to today. Took to the car to get the emissions (smog test). I run a few errands after I do so. I park in the garage, carrying things in and I notice some oil on the floor. I crawl under the car and see that there is a decent amount of oil in a few areas and running down what looks like to be hose heading towards the middle of the car. I am not familiar of where things are located (hell, the battery is in the back...who knew?).

Can anyone help me figure out where this leak could be coming from by looking at the pictures? I won't be able to get to my mechanic till next week. I am scared that I totally effed myself here. Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

You have a skid plate that you need to remove to see exactly where the oil is coming from.

 

Is there a diagram of the underneath I haven't found in my search on the internet? I can't find anything that points out what is what...

 

Just take the skid plate off and take more pictures. There's plenty of places that can leak oil under there. Common places with that big of a leak are the oil filter and the drain plug.

 

Take the skid plate off and see.

Chances are it is a slow leak from the angle gear.

I wrote a DIY below, basically replacing all 4 fluids...

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...p?f=10&t=64335

 

A leaking angle gear wouldn't have oil that far out to the right side of the engine.

 

I'd bet against the angle gear as well. Might not even be oil. Check to make sure your power steering reservoir or pump isn't leaking.

 

Hhhmmm, okay. I will see if I can get under there in the next day or so to get a better look. I can check fluids on my lunch.

If it was to be the angle gear, why would it leaking in the front? Looks like the gear is in the back, yes?

 

It's not the angle gear.