Hi gang - my 1991 Volvo 940 SE turbo has developed a noticeable oil leak which concerns me.
The oil appears to be dripping from the bottom of the black cam-belt cover but no traces of oil runs are visible externally so far as I can see so the leak appears to be behind the cover.
A local guy has had a quick look and reckons it might be the crank shaft oil seal which is a job that apparently requires tools he doesn't have.
Does this make sense and, if so, is it urgent, complicated, expensive ?
If it isn't the above, are there any other likely possibilities as to where the oil is coming from ?
Any help/advice offered will be very gratefully received !
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If the engine is a close relation to the 240 (from memory B230A or E) this is not a difficult job.
The only problems are removing the large Bolt of pulley to crankshaft which at best can be described as stubborn. It may need a length of scaffold pole on a good socket whilst somebody else stands on the brakes.
Follow all instructions re cam belt replacement and correct timing as engine is not valve safe.
The leak could of course be due to or aggravated by build up of crankcase pressure, a common problem on the 240. So soft option maybe to clean out all breather pipes and replace flame trap if there is one..
pmh (was peter)
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Thanks PMH - I know nothing much about cars and am really looking for some advice so that when I go to a garage I've a litte knowledge and don't get ripped off (hopefully).
I had the cambelt changed when I got the car 4-5 years ago. Should I consider having it done again at the same time as having the oil leak fixed ? I have only done about 25k (mostly town driving) in that time. thanks again !
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After 4-5 years most cambelts would be due, so kill both birds if I were you.
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Again from 240 experience, check the camshaft front oil seal. This is in my experience much more likely than the crankshaft.
Check the flametrap, but also the orifice in the inlet manifold, the state of the connecting piping, and the black box sludge collector flame trap thing underneath the inlet manifold bolted to the block by the dipstick. All these are very prone to gunging up, and then allowing crankcase pressure to force the oil past the seals.
There is another seal, just like the camshaft seal, behind the 3rd sprocket of the timing belt. I have heard this can leak too.
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This engine is the same type or similar as the 240 and 740 and from past experience changing the flame trap will probably cure the fault.
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Volvoman
Location of said flame trap is under the inlet manifold. It is inside a piece of rubber tubing whose shape is like a small 'party popper'.
Rather than trapping flames this thing traps black gunge that solidifies and blocks the crankcase ventilation airflow. Pressure then builds up and oil is forced out at the weakest points such as oil seals.
I worked in a Volvo dealership when your car was new and these flametraps were meant to be changed every other service if my memory serves. They also were the most common thing to be missed by non-Volvo servicing at the time!
HTH
Charles
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Cliff, Charles, PMH, Peter & Andrew - Thanks so much for all your help :-)
It seems like there's a bit of a concensus here re the flame trap, breather tubes etc. so rather than go to Volvo first I might ask my 'indy' if he'd do them. If that doesn't work I'll have the seal changed and cam-belt done by the main dealer. What do you think ?
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V - the other point to consider is that if the leaking oil has reached the cambelt, it will be more in need of changing than just its age.
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Just a quick note on this thread as I'd forgotten to update it. Well some of you will know that I do hardly any mileage and the dreaded drip was only a problem after a reasonable run. Well me being me spoke to our local guy again and decided to wait and see a short while. Well blow me down if the oil leak didn't suddenly stop a couple of months ago. So far all's well and it hasn't returned. I did a 140mile round trip a few weeks ago and not a sign of oil on the drive after so:
either the problem's sorted itself or ....
I've got no oil left !!!
Seriously, a mate of mine sugested it may have been residue from the previous service which was done just a few weeks before the leak appeared. Anyway I will get the cambelt checked/changed at the next service just as a precaution.
Thanks for all the advice/information every one.
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Since you are a short trip user I would suggest that you definitely ensure that the flame trap and all associated oil breather pipes are cleaned out regularly.The sludge has to been seen to be beleived.
I remember blowing the Oil seal plug out of the back of the Camshaft cover with a worryingly big bang due to the build up of crankcase pressure!
Changing the cam belt is still a wise precaution. Mine broke, but I got away with it fortunately.
pmh (was peter)
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Thanks very much for the advice Peter - much appreciated ! Is this sort of thing an easy DIY job or would it be best left to the 'experts' ?
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Is it easy? The breather set up on the 240 is very simple, if you can connect a garden hose, I suggest that you can dismantle it and clean it. Get some wire for hooking out the cr*p and some grease solvent to clean up with. Put in a new flame trap at the same time. It is a filthy job tho'.
If you mean the cam belt, I would suggest it is not a DIY beginners job. Getting the nut of the pulley is the difficult bit, lining up the timing marks is straightforward, but the Haynes manual for the 240 is ambiguos from memory.
pmh (was peter)
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Thanks again Peter - I did only mean the breather tubes etc. Whilst I wouldn't trust myself with the cam belt I wouldn't mind taking off/cleaning/refitting a few pipes providing I can find them ! I'll check the Haynes manual and see.
BTW - glad I'm not the only one who finds parts of the manual ambiguous :-)
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