1990 245 oil leak problem

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PK

My daughters 90 245 developed a substantial oil leak when she stopped
driving today. It appears the leak is coming from somewhere towards the back
end on the motor.From what I could see the oil pan was covered with oil.
Luckily she shut it off right away and had it towed to my mechanic. The pan
itself didn't appear to be damage and the drain plug was tight. I know the
details are sketchy but just trying to get an idea of what I may hear from
my mechanic on Monday. Any help appreciated.
 
PK said:
My daughters 90 245 developed a substantial oil leak when she stopped
driving today. It appears the leak is coming from somewhere towards the back
end on the motor.From what I could see the oil pan was covered with oil.
Luckily she shut it off right away and had it towed to my mechanic. The pan
itself didn't appear to be damage and the drain plug was tight. I know the
details are sketchy but just trying to get an idea of what I may hear from
my mechanic on Monday. Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...

Could be something as simple as a valve cover gasket/seal at the rear
of the valve cover.

__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"
 
PK said:
Randy
Hopefully it is something minor. The car has 175,000 on it but has been
maintained faithfully. I'm hoping for at least another 50,000. Thanks for
the response.
Click to expand...

I'd second that, to elaborate more there's a rubber plug in the back of the
cylinder head inline with the camshaft where the distributor would mount if
the engine was in a 700 series. It can pop out sometimes, particularly if
your flame trap becomes clogged. With decent maintenance I'd expect at least
another 100K out of that car.
 
PK said:
Randy
Hopefully it is something minor. The car has 175,000 on it but has been
maintained faithfully. I'm hoping for at least another 50,000. Thanks for
the response.
Click to expand...

If the car was running OK when she stopped it, then hopefully that's
all it is- maybe even something like the oil mist box broke or the oil
pressure switch came out (not likely, but possible)

Now for the bad news... It could be a failed rear main seal (or front
seal for that matter). The rear would be expensive the front not quite
so much.

If you have a weak stomach of thin wallet read no further.......






Worst case- It is possible for a piston to fail (puncture) and the
pressure caused in the crankcase pushed the seal out... about the most
expensive oil leak there is... :-(


__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"
 
Randy
Hopefully it is something minor. The car has 175,000 on it but has been
maintained faithfully. I'm hoping for at least another 50,000. Thanks for
the response.
 
PK said:
My daughters 90 245 developed a substantial oil leak when she stopped
driving today. It appears the leak is coming from somewhere towards the
back
end on the motor.From what I could see the oil pan was covered with oil.
Luckily she shut it off right away and had it towed to my mechanic. The
pan
itself didn't appear to be damage and the drain plug was tight. I know the
details are sketchy but just trying to get an idea of what I may hear from
my mechanic on Monday. Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm out of tune, being it is a 1990, but does that still have the
flame trap? Our 85 765T doesn't have a flame trap and when the ventilation
system plugged it still managed to disgorge oil from the crankcase at a
shocking rate. Anyway, when I hear of a 240/740 suddenly gushing oil I
always think of crankcase ventilation.

Even if this isn't the problem, cleaning the ventilation system couldn't
hurt.

Mike
 
Maybe I'm out of tune, being it is a 1990, but does that still have the
flame trap? Our 85 765T doesn't have a flame trap and when the ventilation
system plugged it still managed to disgorge oil from the crankcase at a
shocking rate. Anyway, when I hear of a 240/740 suddenly gushing oil I
always think of crankcase ventilation.

Even if this isn't the problem, cleaning the ventilation system couldn't
hurt.

Mike
Click to expand...
Turbo cars were never fitted witha flame trap, however the oil separator
box below where the flame trap sits is notorious for clogging and
blowing out seals plugs, and dipsticks.

Bob
 
Michael Pardee said:
Maybe I'm out of tune, being it is a 1990, but does that still have the
flame trap? Our 85 765T doesn't have a flame trap and when the ventilation
system plugged it still managed to disgorge oil from the crankcase at a
shocking rate. Anyway, when I hear of a 240/740 suddenly gushing oil I
always think of crankcase ventilation.

Even if this isn't the problem, cleaning the ventilation system couldn't
hurt.

Mike
Click to expand...

All non-turbo 4 cylinder OHC Volvos have a flame trap, the turbos have the
same arrangement, just no actual trap screen.
 
The car was running fine before the problem started. She had just come off
about a 5 mile drive on the highway. It may have started before she shut the
car off because she smelled the oil on the engine when she stopped. I didn't
see the puddle of oil but she said it was substantial under the car when she
stopped. We'll find out Monday. I have a great (reasonable) Volvo mechanic
who knows this car inside and out. Thanks again for all the responses.
 
CLEAN it up spick and span , so that the leak can be found .Use good oil not
the cheap but expensive stuff .I use synthetic oil so there's not worries
with clogging up .I notice Havaline or caltex as its called here is very
cheap compared with other synthetic oils any one had any experience with
their synthetic range .Mobil one now is around AU$65.00and BP 5000 synthetic
has risen in cost as well .Your mileage means you have a puppy Good oil and
it will run 3 times long just keep changing the anti corrosion and the
filters and oil .By the way my sons car has done 300000 no leaks its a 1990
240 .
 
It was the cam plug on the rear of the cylinder head. He replaced the plug,
gasket, 1 hr labor, $90 out the door. You guys set my mind at ease for the
weekend. Seeing a puddle of oil under the engine is a little unsettling.
James, thanks again for the on the money diagnose.
 
PK said:
It was the cam plug on the rear of the cylinder head. He replaced the plug,
gasket, 1 hr labor, $90 out the door. You guys set my mind at ease for the
weekend. Seeing a puddle of oil under the engine is a little unsettling.
James, thanks again for the on the money diagnose.
Click to expand...

Did he clean the flame trap? If it or the oil separator box are clogged the
new plug will blow out quickly, or worse the front or rear main seals will
blow.
 
Did he clean the flame trap? If it or the oil separator box are clogged the
new plug will blow out quickly, or worse the front or rear main seals will
blow.
Click to expand...
He told me that he did clean the ventilation system but he also said that he
had removed the flame trap a while ago. As I was in a hurry I didn't ask if
he had removed it permanently or removed it to clean it. I'll have to call
him. Can the flame trap be removed permanently? He has done all the work
on this car for at least 4 years.
Thanks
 
PK said:
He told me that he did clean the ventilation system but he also said that he
had removed the flame trap a while ago. As I was in a hurry I didn't ask if
he had removed it permanently or removed it to clean it. I'll have to call
him. Can the flame trap be removed permanently? He has done all the work
on this car for at least 4 years.
Thanks
Click to expand...

It can be, I wouldn't recommend it though, there's really no reason to
remove it, it's a cheap and easily cleaned/replaced part.
 
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