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Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

Really dumb question. This 'project' car leaks like a sieve. The RMS leak slowed a lot since I added some RMS conditioner to fresh synthetic oil.

The rear cam seals show signs of leakage, but not bad. The turbo oil return line seal and gasket need to be replaced, but the leak is minor.

I pulled off the cam cover because there was a lot of oil on the subframe, covered in a layer of sand and dirt. Last September, when I pulled it off, the inside of the cover was covered in oil! I washed off the oil, noted that I need to change the Tbelt and clean everything. Puzzled, I couldn't find any oil around the front cam seals.

Yesterday, I pulled off the cover again. No mess?!!! The edge of the Tbelt has oil residue on it, but not fresh. So what is happening? Where did the original oil come from?

There is a small channel that oil could leak down from the spark plug area. That was a real mess last summer. I cleaned it all up with a few paper towels, except that channel under the tbelt cover. Put on a new oil cap gasket after a new PCV. No more new oil in the spark plug area, and now no additional oil under the Tbelt.

There is no other explanation, unless you can think of one. Oil consumption is about 1qt/1,000 miles, which includes the amount on my garage floor which has to be a major portion of that quart.

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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    Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

    Only thing I can think of quickly is the oil cooler lines.
    Mine leaked like a sieve when I got the car at 198,000 miles.
    I replaced with hoses purchased from a guy on volvospeed.
    I can't find his link that works anymore. His name was Orlando.

    Now at 245,000 miles with no leaks.








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      Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

      That was my first hope, but the lines and box on the oil pan are dry.

      The PCV was a bit clogged when I got it. The PTC was completely clogged, and someone had it off once. I still get zero vacuum at the oil cap, but at least it is not blowing up the glove anymore.

      I am assuming that the oil is coming from the top of the engine, due to spillage. I will monitor it again next month. It sure is hard to wipe things off when you can't see what you are doing.

      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








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    Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

    All three of our 850s had oil under their engine covers - our base '95 855 was the worst.

    As we purchased each one, I cleaned them up.

    From what I could determine, the oil was spilled around the filler, as I found fresh oil after oil changes, and at a couple of random checks.

    What I started to do was to put an old scrunchie ( a pony tail holder ) around the filler whenever I sent a car for service.

    No more oil under the cover.








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      Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

      That's what I am thinking now, oil spillage and blow-by from the oil cap. There was a LOT of oil to clean up in the spark plug tray.

      No new oil since I cleaned thing up a bit. I left the cover off over the winter, just to check things easily.

      The OE spark plug wires look brand new! The date on them is 1994-50, Merry Christmas? 20 year old plug wires...

      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








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    Oil leak on 850 project 850 1995

    Hi Klaus,

    My car was leaking oil when I got it. I went with the RMS treatment after
    switching to synthetic. It got worse before it got better, then it quit leaving
    spots in the driveway. It did take more than the magic Lucas elixir predicted
    and after 1200 miles it stopped. the car burns a small amount of oil now,
    perhaps some worn valve guides? Maybe an overnight soak of Marvel Mystery
    Oil in each cylinder would help rehab the rings?

    It's part of the package deal of rehabbing a 21 year car with 200K on the odometer. Many cars are rusted out and crushed before they reach 100K so
    rejoice! A little leaking oil is better than shelling out huge bucks for a
    new "Luxury" car. Is that like a "Luxury Condo"? What makes it so luxurious,
    The salesman know: maybe a Delrin cupholder? or an Ermine Toilet seat cover?

    :-) Bill







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