For all those of you who follow the boards I thought I would post an up-date.

A few weeks ago the car started to develop a bad oil leak which I wasn't able to trace. For a while i thought the problem of a bad oil leak and the squeel (under power only) were un-related. Then the battery started dying, and i traced that down to the alternator.

I eventually traced down the problem to the alternator belts. I tightened up the belt and for awhile the squeel went away, but not the leaking oil. to me the oil seemed to be coming from the cover gasket so I tightened the bolts down, but it didn't help. at that point i decided it was time to see a mechanic. he looked at the car, and in 20 seconds he told me it was the camshaft seal. he did a new timing belt, all the shaft seals, and a new cover gasket for $280CDN ($220USD) which I think is a great price. it runs well now. next project is to pass emissions testing. i have a 3 month waiver which expires in february. It failed on the nitrous oxide level which people tell me means a bad catalytic converter.

i'm approaching 300,000km (186,000mi) btw.

Does anyone know if Volvo Canada gives out high mileage (kilometre-age?) badges?i think this car deserves one.

thanks,

chris