I just had my car in to have it checked for oil leaks - and the mechanic I take my car to thought it was from the distributor, where it goes into the cam. There is a leak there, with a drip just hanging there most of the time, at the base of the distributor (lowest point, where the oil drips from). They replaced the o-rings and did some sealing, but it still leaks, and I am not convinced that is the only place oil is leaking from. Can you suggest a systematic way to check for the sources of oil leaks? It is a frustrating process. The leak is not catastrophic, just about a 2" circle of oil on the garage floor in the morning each day, but enough to give me concern.

Thanks.

If it is still leaking from the distributor, and not the cam cover gasket, it is the distributor shaft seal. This seal is not available from

Volvo. You have several options. 1. A rebuilt exchange distributor. 2. A used distributor, whch may also leak. 3. A new distributor baseplate, complete with Hall sensor. About $100 from IPS, 1-800-897-7278. 4. Buy a new seal from Honda, part number 91205-KF0-003. It is a lawnmower seal. Fits perfect. There is a great posting in the archives from June 26, 2000 on this very subject.

Hi John - The distributor shaft seal is something different from the two o-rings that go on the distributor shaft? I just replaced them, then my mechanic re-replaced them, no luck. Where does the seal you are talking about go? (The cam cover gasket is brand new and not leaking.) Could the end bearing caps be leaking? I used gasket sealant on them when I had the cam out a few weeks ago...the front isn't leaking, so I can't see why the rear would be. Thanks.

Yes, the distributor shaft seal is something different than the two o-rings. In my experience it is the most likely place for a leak. To access the seal, remove the distributor. To be sure this seal is the source of your oil leak, look for a light film of oil inside of the distributor. Any oil here usually means the seal is bad. Engine oil is quite thin at operating temperatures and only leaves a thin film. Once sure that this is the source of your leak, drive the pin out of the drive dog, remove the drive dog, and pull the shaft out of the distributor base. Note the relationship of the offset in the drive dog to the distributor rotor when you do this. In the base plate of the distributor there is a serated washer which keeps the seal in place. A few gentle taps on the inside edge of the serated washer will remove it from the housing. The seal come out easily with a few taps of the screwdriver. Re-installation is the reverse of above. Match up the serations in the washer with the serations in the distributor base. The part number for the wire hold down in the distributor is Volvo #1346794. The part number for the wire connector for the Hall effect switch is Volvo #1346793. As I wrote before, do a search in the archives under Distributor Oil Leaks. The article you want was posted by Jim on Monday, 26 June, 2000. I doesn't make sense for me to plagarize Jim's article when it is there to access. As I stated in the last post, a good alternative is the complete distributor base plate with new Hall sensor, wires, wire connector, and seal. Often the black wire connector for the Hall effect has disintergrated from time and heat, and the wires are just hanging from the distributor. This is a great place for an intermittant ignition fault, just ask me how I know. So be sure the Hall effect wire connector is in good shape if you choose to just replace the oil seal.

Hi John -

I think of you every time I enjoy my head rests - thanks! And thanks for the helpful information. Interestingly, there is no reference in the Haynes manual to a seal where you say it is. There is an exploded diagram of the distributor but nothing like a seal, just some felt washers. (Are those what you are talking about?)

I found the post from June 26 and copied it to my Volvo 740 file for future reference. Now all I have to do is find time and patience to take a look at this situation. My goal will be to replace the seal. Simplest way to go; everything else seems to be in good shape.

Thanks again!

No, the seal is not felt. The seal is a miniture version of the seals used on the crankshaft, intermediate shaft, and camshaft. It is neoprene and even has the circular coil spring to keep tension on the neoprene to metal shaft surface. The last felt seal on a Volv I dealt with was the front crankshaft seal on my 1961 PV 544. Order the seal from a Honda lawnmower shop, and you will be all set. It is sometimes very tough to get the pin out of the drive dog. I am very persuasive at this, and I have had trouble with one. I think I have had at least six apart.