Help - 98 s70 Oil Leak

FYI: I will be ordering the vacuum kit and performing a full stage
zero but will need to wait till next paycheck.

In the meantime I need some help from seasoned veterans.

Here is my dilemna.:

Bought 98 GLT with 129K approx 3wks ago in FL. Great deal at 1798 +
dealer fee + tax = 2500


There was an oil leak, vibration on take off and a knock on front end
which allowed me to drop their asking price of 4k + DF + Tax to above
price.


Took to Pep Boys for a free diag. (I know about them and would not
actually get anything done there)

They stated I had an oil leak from engine and tranny.

They also stated I needed:
All sway bar bushings replaced: - Untrue
End Links replaced - true
Tranny mounts replaced - Not really
Right lower Motor mount replaced - True
They stated that the Axle was fine and needed no work - Untrue

They would do all the above for me, minus actually fixing any of the
leaks, and give me a "BREAK" for only $960. When I looked at the
estimate they were charging 135 for each link and 180 for the Motor
mount (just parts), I thanked them and let them know that since the
main priority was the tranny leak I''ll have that looked at and get
back to them.


I then went to Delta transmissions and spoke to the owner, Steve, He
looked at the car drove it and stated that it seemed to be a seal
issue with the tranny and that possibly the left axle needed to be
looked at since the vibration seemed to be coming from that side. He
quoted $650 for the seal job and to check the axle. He also stated
that since he had to remove the tranny anyway and he had to remove the
lower motor mount, if I brought him the end links and motor mounts he
would just throw them in for me.

I went to Central Auto Parts bought the endlinks for $22 a piece and
the motor mount nfor $34, Took them to Steve.

Next day I drop by the shop and Steve has the tranny out. But he is
unable to get the axle out. Looks like the retaining ring had broken
off inside. He tells me he has to crack open the case. As long as he
has the thing open I tell him might as well rebuild the tranny. He
agrees and after all is said and done, one week later, I end up
leaving the shop paying $1300 with a rebuilt tranny, resealed, the end
links, put in, the axle repaired and no more vibration. Steve stated
that the rear main seal was dry and did not seem to be leaking but
that he did see a leak from higher up on the engine near the turbo and
the normal oil on the bottom of the turbo. He told me about the seals
on the oil tubes that are notorious for leaking and advised that I
have it checked out. He also stated to drive the car like I was
breakin it in for two weeks and bring it back for a follow up check up
on his work. Overall I rate my experience with this shop as
excellent. Steve seemed genuine and a straight shooter (unlike the Pep
boys guys).


I did a lot of research on this site and various Volvo online forums
and learned all about the the seals and Orings and Vacuum hoses. But
before I spend more money I decided to check for a Volvo Specialist in
the area and found Cech Brothers. I drove over yesterday and paid
them $30 to have the leak checked thinking it was Vacuum/O-Ring seal
related.

I return 1/2 hr later and am told that the rear main seal is leaking
and that it will be $800 due to having to drop the tranny. I
explained to them that I just had the tranny out and they stated that
the RMS should have been replaced at that time.

I called Steve about this at Delta Trannsmission and he confirmed that
the RMS was not leaking when he had it in the shop and stated that if
it had he would have replaced it then since its common sense to do
that. He confirmed that the oil leak was coming from higher up. (I
will say that I saw the engine with the tranny out and did not notice
any obvious leak from the RMS myself either)


I called back Cech Bros and spoke to Jon which was the counter guy and
explained what Steve had just stated. He then said that if it not the
seal then its a "plate" that may need to get replaced either way the
tranny would still have to come out and the estimate should still be
about $900.

Both of these folks seem to be straight shooters but I''m confused as
to what to believe. I''m not pointing fingers at anyone. Is it
possible that the RMS leak could be confused with one of the other
common leaks known to occur on these Volvos. If not and I have to
have the tranny pulled again, I''ll just take it to Cech bros in the
future and trust in their Volvo specializing.


Any input would be appreciated.

 

Oil leaks can be a pain to locate, and the best way I've found is to
use fluorescent dye. You add it to the oil, drive for as long as it
takes to leak out, then use a blacj light to illuminate the dye. Works
great, eliminates a lot of guessing.

Make sure there are no oil leaks from the oil return linn efrom the
turbo, these leak all the time.

Just about any leak from the engine can travel across the engine and
down near the transmission, so be careful. I've seen the oil filler
cap seal leak and cause this, so check that too. Pull the top cover
off and see if there is oil on top of the engine, especially over by
the back of the head.

Common places for leaks are the oil trap housing, turbo return line,
oil cap seal, trans cooler line where it attaches at the front of the
trans., and the oil pump seals.

Bret
RepairPal.com