[avarvarigo]

Hello all. Me again...
Anyhow, the above with 76k miles, seems to leave a couple of drips of oil from the back of the engine. The mechanic said that it's from the turbocharger, internal to it. (Meaning not from an oil hose or anything, if there is such a thing). Is that the beginning of a bigger leak or the turbo going bad? He said it's hard to replace and expensive and to just watch the oil level every so often and maybe add as needed.
What are your thoughts? The car is usually driven by my wife and definitely not abused...
Thank you, Anthony V.

 

[Georgeandkira]

HELLO, If the turbo isn't smoking, you can live with it more easily. How much a drip affects your life is another question. Regarding your mechanic's comment that turbos are hard to change-find a guy who doesn't look at it that way. Perhaps he meant it was an expensive job. Try to establish a time line for bringing your oil to the full mark. It helps to know if a leak gets bigger. If it remains manageable, you can try a different oil. Kira

 

[avarvarigo]

Hello there. I guess he meant expensive, though it sounded like too much work. Then again, I'm getting old and forgetting things...
No smoke by the way and the drips are 2 spots side by side towards the middle back of the engine by the fire wall and about a few drops per spot at a clip. (on the ground that is).
One thing that came to mind when you said another oil, the oil was changed recently and the mechanic put in 5W 30, looking at the label. You think that might have something to do with it?
Thank you again.
Anthony V.

 

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, Lots of people over on "Bobistheoilguy [dot] com swear you can effect change with different motor oils. How often these stories are truthful and accurate is questionable. Get an accurate fix at the leak's rate and try one of the high mileage oils. Don't get your hopes up too much. If I were you I'd get a set of ramps low enough to drive upon and get a good look at the area over a period of time. Remember, our cars have air dams etc. up front and can scrape on older ramps. If you have a set, use a 2 X 10 in front of each one to clear any bodywork. If you go at this with only a checkbook, it'll be nothing but expensive. If you're capable, you can see what's going on. Deciding what to do is your next step. Fortunately, you're not in a breakdown or non-start scenario. You could be in a fire scenario with an oil leak however. Kira

 

[avarvarigo]

Ok got it. As soon as the NY weather gets a bit better, I'll do that and see what I can figure out. I do have a mechanic friend that's more than
capable to tackle this but he's about 50 miles away from me.
I take my "heavier" work to him once I group it together since I usually leave my car with him for a bit at a time and have to get a ride back.
However, after I do my own probing on this, it might be the way to go.
My local repair shop, though good, i use it for everyday things...
Thank you again.
Anthony V.

PS, of course I'll be keeping tabs on the oil level...

 

[BHart]

There's always oil leaking internally in the Turbo. I was quite shocked the first time I removed one of the silicone hoses to the intercooler of my 745 - oil streaks all inside the pipes. My mechanic friend said 'don't worry' so we left it. Sold it a few years later with 175000 on the clock. It passed it's e-test too.

My wife primarily drove the 745T - maybe that was the mistake. It was a classic case of pussy-footing around with a high performance engine. I have a feeling that there was never enough throttle given to clear out the intake passages. Definitely not the way I drove it.

 

[avarvarigo]

hi there. the drips seem to be getting less though of course the oil level is good. i will have it checked in case so no bigger surprises come up...
i'll post the outcome when i have one if of use...
Thanks,
TV

 

[pkc303]

You should change your flame trap, as it gets older, you need to make sure it is clean or pressure will build up and cause leaks.

On your leak, I suspect the turbo drain line gasket needs replacement. They sometimes leak, and it is at the back of the engine. If you are able to safely look under your car, you can see a tube running from the turbo to the oil pan. It is the drain, and a leak at the rubber o ring at the pan will run up the pipe appearing as if your turbo is leaking. You'll have to clean it all off, and run it to determine the exact location on the leak.

The V70 is a light pressure turbo, and it seems young for an internal leak. Remember to idle a minute or two before shutting the car down if driving at highway speeds.

 

[avarvarigo]

You should change your flame trap,

Hi there. I got your note and I will look into it but forgive me as I'm not too well versed on Volvo's or their Turbos.
You had mentioned the above. What is it and where is it?

Thank you,
Anthony V.

 

[pkc303]

Your flame trap is under the intake manifold. The turbo drain line goes from the turbo, in the back of the engine, as you look at it from the front of the car, to the oil pan under the car.

If you are not doing the work yourself, you should have a qualified Volvo mechanic work on it.

 

[avarvarigo]

If you are not doing the work yourself, you should have a qualified Volvo mechanic work on it.[/QUOTE]


that's what's going to happen i think though now it's down to a couple to few drops, a day on the ground. but better safe than sorry...

thank you again,
Anthony V

 

[BHart]

Yes, the PCV system could be leaking too. Hoses to weep and perish over time.

Here's a pic of a typical 5 cyl turbo system;

#1 is the oil separator. A plastic container that catches the drips from the fumes. The fumes are pulled back into the intake via #8 & 10.

I know the 700 series turbo did not have a flame trap and screen - this was only used in the normally aspirated models. Probably because a cold turbo engine has a lot of crankcase back pressure.

 

[avarvarigo]

Hello there and thank you for the lesson and picture. It shows me how little I know about Volvos... I just took the car to a friend to look at during the week coming up, that's more than qualified to do so.
BUT, the interesting thing is that about 2 weeks ago I was under the hood trying to get a wire through the firewall using that "wonderful" tubing that connects the two, (under dash to the engine compartment), and while there, and if I understand right, I saw a hose like the one that's marked as 10 in your drawing, loose and I put it back. At the time I though that I had knocked it off as I was desperately trying to achieve what I was trying to do.
Wouldn't it be funny if that had something to do with the leak and that's why it's getting less and less...I guess I'll find out when Joe looks at it..
Well, thank you again.
Anthony V.

 

[JBC2565]

Any update Anthony?

 

[avarvarigo]

Hello there. Not really. It still drips and I believe that it might be getting more obvious.
It's starting to make a mess in my driveway. I think as the weather starts to break, I'll have to take it to someone to fix it. Whatever it is...
TV