I recently (3 months ago) purchased a 2002 S 60 and took to a dealer for an oil change a few days ago. The mechanic proceeded to an unrequested inspection of the car and reported , among other things, that the car was missing the engine splash shield and that the angle gear was leaking oil. I am a novice at these things but someone told me that for the s60 the splash shield is an add on. Is this right? Also, is it common for the angle gear to leak ? I have seen no oil on the gararge floor and the mechanic did not have to top up the oil although I have driven the car for at least 4000 miles.

Splash shield is standard on all auto trans and I think manual Turbos. It was not fitted to the normally aspirated manual trans cars. Bevel gear seepage is very ccommon from either the shaft seal or the O-ring on the side gear crown wheel retainer. Less common is the pinion seal under the flang for the drive shaft to the rear. If you do install the splash shield, the seepage if it begins to get worse, will collect in the splash shield before it hits the ground.

I am of the opinion the S60 splash shield is NOT an option, but part of every S60 made. My '02 T5 has one, and based on the way it fits up (a total of 7 bolts, into threaded holes in the chassis), I'm pretty sure it was part of the car from the get-go. While it does protect the engine from "splash" and debris, my guess would be it also improves gas mileage at highway speeds by smoothing out the airflow under the car. This is not a small device, approximately 3 feet by 3 feet in size, made of a thick plastic material. Any way to get in touch with the previous owner and find out where it went? Even if it was damaged, if all of the pieces are still around, repairing it would most likely be considerably cheaper than buying a new one. Alternatively, IPD sells a "skid plate" for the S60 that appears to bolt on in place of the stock splash shield. It's about $200 IIRC.

WRT angle gear leakage, if it is not leaking enough to form a drop and spot the garage floor, I would not be concerned about it just yet. That is, unless the car happens to still be in warranty, in which case I would have it tended to immediately!

Gary L.

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1971 142E ITB racer, 1973 1800ES, 2002 S60 T5

Splash shield is turbos-only isn't it? My base model 03 doesn't have one. Never did.

"Splash shield is turbos-only isn't it? My base model 03 doesn't have one. Never did."


Well, now isn't that interesting? I would have never guessed that to be the case. Now I know what to tell my wife the next time she brings up how much the T5 cost.

"But honey, look under here... it has this huge splash shield!" :)

Gary L
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1971 142E ITB racer, 1973 1800ES, 2002 S60 T5

Leaking angle gears are all too common. I get priced on them regularily. The unit itself runs about $1800.00 list plus the labor to change it out.

Mark