Oil leaks

[djsc70]

Are the 5 cylinder turbo engines known for oil leaks?
I've just done an oil change and cleaned up the under side of the engine etc,
took it for a long journey and it's covered in oil again.
It looks to be coming out somewhere around the filter and possibly the sump plug, is there any where else they're known to leak from?
Also i have a nasty grinding noise coming from the front nearside wheel when i turn right, and when i pull away from standstill,till i get to about 5/10 mph.
Could it be a drive shaft?

[JelT5]

I had a bad oil leak from where the PCV valve pastic box joins the block- it was pi$$ing out! Thought it was from the oil pressure sender at first, as these can leak, so replaced that and it was still bloody well leaking! Found it was from the PCV to block seal in the end.

If you've got an 850, then the seal from the PCV to block is most likely the old style hose n jubilee clip arrangement, which is a bloody nightmare; the new type seal is a much better one piece design and much easier to fit too!
HTH

Can't help you with the grinding noise, but I'm sure someone will reply to that question.

[djsc70]

Sorry should have sais it's a 99 C70.
This plastic box you mention, is it the one that sits on the back of the sump next to the sump plug?

[JelT5]

Sorry should have sais it's a 99 C70.
This plastic box you mention, is it the one that sits on the back of the sump next to the sump plug?

PCV box is under the inlet manifold and totally inaccessible unless you take the inlet mani off :(
Mine was leaking down the bottom part of the block and covering the sump with oil. I would assume that the seal is most likely to be the same as on the 850- I'm not sure when the new improved one appeared tbh.

Picture in step 8 on this link shows the location:

http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/ (http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/)

It may not be that though, just my own experience of an oil leak on a T5.

[djsc70]

Thanks for that mate, quite a common problem then!

[PHIL V70R]

turbo oil return pipe..seal..or pcv..my moneys on pcv mate..

[5seaterT5x2]

filler cap can let it by quite badly to then it runs down back of engine, just check the seal on filler cap see if it's gone hard/brittle

[djsc70]

Thanks for the replies, being dumb here, what does pcv stand for?

[Flatout Phil]

PCV = Positive Crankcase Ventilation - I think...

Could also be that old fave the rear main seal (the big seal at the gearbox end of the crank), always a nuisance. If it isn't leaking, just make sure you get it changed next time you have the clutch done. Also, those oil pipes by the turbo tend to p!ss oil out down the back of the block.

If the PCV is happy, then the others will tend to be happy too...see below

This is the Thickipedia on the topic of PCV for your info:
A crankcase ventilation system is a way for gases to escape in a controlled manner from the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. A common type of such system is a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, the heart of which is a PCV valve—a variable-restriction valve that can react to changing pressure values and intermittently allow the passage of the gases to their intended destination (which nowadays is the engine's intake stream).

Internal combustion inevitably involves a small but continual amount of blow-by, which is when some of the gases from the combustion leak past the piston rings (that is, blow by them) to end up inside the crankcase. The gases could be vented through a simple hole or tube directly to the atmosphere, or they could "find their own way out" past baffles or past the oil seals of shafts or the gaskets of bolted joints. This is not a problem from a mechanical engineering viewpoint alone; but from other viewpoints, such as cleanliness for the user and environmental protection, such simple ventilation methods are not enough; escape of oil and gases must be prevented via a closed system that routes the escaping gases to the engine's intake stream and allows fresh air to come in.

[Flatout Phil]

PCV box is under the inlet manifold and totally inaccessible unless you take the inlet mani off :(
Mine was leaking down the bottom part of the block and covering the sump with oil. I would assume that the seal is most likely to be the same as on the 850- I'm not sure when the new improved one appeared tbh.

Picture in step 8 on this link shows the location:

http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/ (http://www.lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/)

It may not be that though, just my own experience of an oil leak on a T5.

That is a great guide - although makes me feel faint just thinking about it!

[thewoodster]

you said that you have just changed the oil , did you fit a new sump bung washer? , if there was no leek before "whats changed" also is the filter tight enough?

[djsc70]

I didn't fit a new washer, couldn't get hold of one! That's a job for this weekend.
The oil filter container didn't have a rubber seal on it when i took it off, so it's no suprise it was leaking from there! Tightened it as far as i could by hand, but as it's plastic i didn't want to use a tool on it. From what i can see if you tighten it to far the seal gets squeezed out as there's no groove for it to sit in, it's just squeezed between two flat faces. I'll have another look at that this weekend as well.
From what i saw from underneath, oil doesn't seem to be running down the front of the sump, so hopefully it isn't the pcv.

[thewoodster]

nice one mate, i would deffo get a new sump plug washer as they are usually made of copper and are a one shot deal .

[djsc70]

Had a good look at the underneath of the engine yesterday, and the front is completley free of oil, so pcv is fine :)
Took the filter off and resat the seal in the correct location (doh!) and that seems to be leak free:)
Sump plug is oil tight, and the true culprit of most of the oil is the turbo either feed or return hose, can't see exactly which hose it is as everything has a thin coating of oil, but the top of the block is clean so not coming from the filler cap.
Don't know how bad a job turbo oil lines are but it's beyond me (back problems + leaning over engine = OUCH! and several weeks off work!! So it'll be a garage job.
Thank you all for your help and advice.

[The Flying Moose]

It sounds to me to definately be the turbo return pipe, its a 15 minute job. The main culprit is often the small rubber seal which sits on the pipe connecting to the back of the block. The seal and gasket for this pipe are a fiver for the pair and available from most volvo specialists.

[djsc70]

Good result re the grinding noise from the front wheel, had to replace the top engine mounting as it was rogered when i bought the car. Engine was much smoother and when i went around the round about into work, where i normally have to grit my teeth due to the grinding noise, nothing not even a whisper.:)
Guess the engine was moving and hitting on something!!
Bad news however, looks like the RMS has become the main suspect for the oil leak:(

[The Flying Moose]

A slightly larger job than expected then Im affraid. Its a case of removing the gearbox, clutch and flywheel which, can be very costly if you need to employ a garage to do it.

[djsc70]

Having read a couple of posts on this and other forums, i'm now not so sure about the RMS. Seems the turbo return pipe leak can spread oil all the way across the bottom of the engine, so maybe not the RMS.
Ordered the parts for the return pipe this week, so i'll do that at the weekend and just hope it cures it.
Out of interest would the oil poor out if the RMS went or just drip or can it do either? Mine doesn't seem to lose much oil just a few drops after a run, although the bottom of the engine and underside of car is coated.