12 replies to this topic

[West]

Well, I need help with the ol' 850. The rear main seal went out with a BANG. I took it to Volvo for it's first oil change (to see if they could see anything I missed in my first inspection... AND I usually do it myself. These guys are smarter than I) and they told me the rear main was leaking. After I get it back, the thing is LEAKING. Oil on my back window, puddling under the car... there's TWO spots it's leaking badly from, and I haven't been able to tell where.

I had the oil changed on Thursday, took it on a bit of a road trip this weekend, and now it's BAD. Never really noticed that it was too bad before the oil change... but all the same, it's leaking. The oil lines for the turbo are fairly new, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Can I clean the PCV system? Would that help any?

This is of course coming after I had the spoiler painted, bought struts and springs, need to replace my speedo and odometer gears, and that the front driver's hub bearing is going bad.

Darn Platinums!

[ericutexas]

If they say the RMS is leaking, it probably is - but if you're seeing oil pooling, dripping, splashing, etc. then check your oil feed/return lines for the turbo, oil cooler, etc. RMS usually goes out gradually, not with a bang (from what I understand). If you have anything more than oil seepage (not oil draining out of the bottom of the car), then Auto-RX won't do you much good.

[West]

If they say the RMS is leaking, it probably is - but if you're seeing oil pooling, dripping, splashing, etc. then check your oil feed/return lines for the turbo, oil cooler, etc. RMS usually goes out gradually, not with a bang (from what I understand). If you have anything more than oil seepage (not oil draining out of the bottom of the car), then Auto-RX won't do you much good.

I've never heard of a RMS going out like that either on ANY car... and you know what? Upon further examination, it's not the RMS (tho it IS leaking slowly).

It's the transmission.

BONE dry on the dipstick, and the car dove fine last night but NOT so fine this AM. Falling out of gear, slipping... just bad altogether. I have to get under the car to see what it really is, but what could make all that go bad so quick? I know that sometimes when tranny seals go, they go quick; but is there a line to look into (like a auto tranny cooler line)? This is just frustrating.

[ericutexas]

I've never heard of a RMS going out like that either on ANY car... and you know what? Upon further examination, it's not the RMS (tho it IS leaking slowly).

It's the transmission.

BONE dry on the dipstick, and the car dove fine last night but NOT so fine this AM. Falling out of gear, slipping... just bad altogether. I have to get under the car to see what it really is, but what could make all that go bad so quick? I know that sometimes when tranny seals go, they go quick; but is there a line to look into (like a auto tranny cooler line)? This is just frustrating.

Yes ... check your ATF cooling lines that feed into the radiator - one at the top and one at the bottom on the driver's side. They use these stupid clips that hold them in place, and there have been several occasions where people have taken them off to do an ATF flush and put them back on, only to have a tranny line blow out under pressure. If you did/are going to do that, then you should put a zip tie around the clamps to make sure they're secure instead of risking losing oil/ATF. Also check the drain plug on the bottom of the transmission case if you see red or dark red (ATF) on the ground.

[West]

Yeah, that sounded great and I got excited that it could be so easy... but no such luck.

I looked at the lines, and NO LEAKS. It's at the back at the motor, under the turbo. Guess I have to take the plate off and see... anything under there that makes such a leak possible? Anything at all?

[kenhoeve]

only thing to leak tranny fluid back there is the tranny. good thing you need to drop it for the RMS anyway. going to cost you 1200. bummer.

[West]

Dammit... this is ridiculous. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Edited by West, 17 March 2006 - 04:53 PM.

[Overboost850]

Dammit... this is ridiculous. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Take it to rich at Bay 13 in northern VA I believe.

[West]

Damndest thing... put FOUR QUARTS of transmission fluid back in, and took it back to the dealer to get it all looked at. They cleaned the transmission fluid off of the whole undecarriage; and guess what? They couldn't find and leaks AT ALL. Nothing. So I drove the car... an hour here, an hour and a half there... parking in spaces that had no residual oil spills from previous occupants. NOTHING. Took the car and set the emergency brake, put it in drive and turned the wheels against the curb to see if maybe having the transmission under load maybe it would leak...? NOTHING.

What the hell?

[bloc]

poltergeist?




is the transmission acting ok now?

[West]

It's acting perfectly. Shifts fine, no oil burning anywhere. One day I guess it just decided to dump 4 quarts of transmission fluid in 700 miles. I just don't get it.

[bloc]

I dont get it either man, just start carrying some extra ATF in case it happens again.