Question on changing a rear engine seal. Is it difficult? Is this something that should be done by a mechanic or can it be done diy? How much (if not diy) would this run me? Thanks.

Did mine at 200k, the flame trap was the cause - completely plugged. I spent $600 to have it done at FNA (or was it F&A?) tranmission in Wakefield, MA they did an excellent job. To rebuild the entire transmission would have been $1800, labor cost is nearly the same. In any case, it has gotten me to 212k so I am not complaining.

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but the first thing I would do is check the flame trap and make sure that it's not clogged If clogged, it can build up pressure inside the engine and cause oil to seek the easiest exit - usually the rear main and blow-by around the oil filler cap that shows as oily crud on the valve cover around the cap. If it's leaking like a sieve, of course, it's too late for anything but the seal.

Volvospeed/Bay 13 has instructions. Trap costs about $3.00 and takes maybe a half hour to an hour the first time you do it, less after. If it's really bad, you may want to clean up the plastic piece that holds the trap, just a toothbrush and some gasoline works. Good idea to replace it every time the timing belt is done, just as a reminder.

I found a guy to do a rear main for $600, everybody else wanted $900-plus. He came highly recommneded by other Volvo owners, but he has since "disappeared". He worked out a gas station and one day was just gone, I'm told.

As for other things to do, power-flush the trans if yoy haven't already. IPD sells a kit for about $10-12, they just buy the fluid and you should be done in an hour. Little mechanical ability is required for either of these. Or you could a shop do it, should cost around $70. including fluid. There's loads of info on this board and Volvospeed.

Good luck...

I can and have done alot of repairs on my '96 but the rear main seal is not one I would tackle. The better part of wisdom is knowing when you're over your head. My indie mechanic did the job for $550 tax included.

Scott

See this thread at volvospeed:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=5845&st=0&p=52820&#entry52820

You can do the job yourself, but it's a lot of work. Apparently the best way to do this is to get an engine hoist and remove the engine and transmission through the hood of the car...apparently you can do the change without removing the engine, but experienced people have indicated that it is better to remove the engine and transmission. The procedure is well documented and doesn't require any special tools, but it will take you probably about 10 hours of work....The thread above is good because it discusses how it was done, and other things you should consider replacing in the process.

-Scott

No, the way most shops do it is to support the engine and only remove the trans BUT one needs a tool to support the engine and a trans jack to do it. Taking out the engine/trans from the top is ALOT more work.

Pulling the engine and trans complete, seperating them, changing out the rear main seal, putting them all back together, and stuffing it back into the car and have it run inside of 10 hours!! I'd like to meet this guy. I have pulled 850 motors and I have done rear seals on them and all with the advantage of a complete Volvo repair facility and years of experience at my disposal. It is about a 3-4 hour job to put in a seal and it pays in the area of 8-10 hours to do it. If it is your first one and you have all of the tools you will spend the best part of a day doing it and I would not even consider doing one without the special tools and a hoist and transmission jack. I know it sucks but if you are not set up to do it you may just want to consider bitting the bullet a paying the ransom to have it done.

Mark

Thanks a bunch. Being in school and splitting my time between upstate NY and Maryland means I don't really have time to do it until May at the ealiest. it's looking like I'm going to have my indie do it over spring break. I just hope it costs more in the range of $550 and not $1100. also, the car has 101k on it. is this foreboding for the future of the car?

is there anything you would definitely recommend getting replaced (seal-wise) while he's in there (in addition to the volvospeed posting)?