BlackBrick

Spent the last few weeks chasing oil leaks down the exhaust side of the engine and oil pan:

I found leaks from the following four places:

1) Turbo return line - I replaced the oring and seal
2) Rear cam seal - I replaced the cam seal
3) PCV hose under the spark plug cover was leaking, puddling oil on the head and dripping down the back through the weep hole - I put a better clamp on the hose.
4) The oil pan bolt wasn't torqued down all the way - I torqued it.

All four of these areas have stopped leaking, but there is STILL a small leak!

5) The elbow vacuum hose that connects the PCV system to the PTC valve had a tear in it, and it looked like a lot of oil vapor had collected all around that area. I had another elbow that fit and replaced it.

I'll check in a few days, I HOPE #5 was the last leak.

Question - would a tear in that vacuum hose cause oil to leak from it? I assume the oil vapor coming from the PCV system could find it's way out?

1997 Volvo 850 Turbo.

While looking up from the bottom to see that I've fixed my leaky cam seal and leaky turbo oil return line, i noticed a very swollen little rubber hose that looks 'pregnant'. It hooks up to what I don't know, a long shiny steel looking tube running parallel to the engine just under the exhaust manifold. I assume this is some hose attachment from the turbo to the cooling system?

I have no idea where to find the part #, as I don't know what this rubber hose is. But looking at it's bulge, if it's for coolant, I had better replace it soon!

Can't take photos now, so I hope my description is good enough.

I finally found my trans leak (SEE PHOTO)...very minimal, but still a leak. After several weekends of cleaning the area, and lying under my car with the engine running, I determined that it's coming from the corner of (what I think is the solenoid cover on the trans???). I noticed pink gasket material coming out of this, but not on that corner..what is used to seal the solenoid cover? Is it simple gasket material? Or is there a gasket?

I've never removed mine before, and have heard horror stories about having to lift the engine. I can see how I could get all the bolts off except the top one.

About 4 months ago, I had a used tranny put into the car. They replaced the usual seals, like the RMS and both axle seals. I assume this one would have been original, and probably unknown to be leaking at the time of installation.

I am thinking of bringing it to my mechanic or the trans place and have them do it, but is it something that's easy enough to try on my own? I can do most things, but lifting the engine I won't try. Or can I loosen the two bottom bolts and squeeze some sealant into that corner? Worth a shot, although I know the whole thing should be taken off to be done correctly.

Thanks for any help.

1997 Volvo 850R, only engine mods are an open air filter, silicon intercooler hoses, and a manual boost controller that I set at about 13.5 psi max. Mileage is about 120,000, and the air temp is around 50F.

I noticed that about half the time, when I give it WOT at a higher speed (like 40mph +) the turbo power 'flutters'. Almost like an engine that's not firing on all cylinders...the turbo boost is sluggish. My boost gauge registers only about 12 psi at WOT, and then within a couple secs the engine cuts off power because of overboost. But only at 12 psi. It seems to do this rarely from a stop, but it has happened now and again.

I'm going to spend some time this weekend chasing down a possible vacuum leak or intercooler leak, as that's all I can think of. But if anybody else can lend any other culprits to look at, I would most appreciate it. No CELs, and I'm averaging decent gas mileage (18 mpg city driving)

Thanks!

PS Embarrassed some dude in a blacked out VW Jetta this morning, he was so upset he illegally passed my by using the carpool lane. ;o)

I have finally traced the oil leak on my 1997 850R to the rear camshaft seal, the one behind the sensor (not the distributor).

About 4 years ago, I had a terrible oil leak, so took it to my volvo indy and he replaced the cam seal. But he said on his first try he noticed it did not fit very snug, and it ended up leaking again, so he had to use sealant on the second try.

It's been leak free for 3-4 years until now. So I'm going to do it myself as it's such an easy job, and the OEM part is cheap.

My question, why would he had to use sealant? What am I getting myself into? All write-ups appear to be a simple R&R of the seal with no sealant.