Engine 850: B5204S/2.0/20v: Rear main seal

[pompeymj]

Afternoon all,

Just took my 850 to our local Volvo dealer to give it a once over before we embark on our European Road Trip this year (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Volve...06?ref=tn_tnmn) the dealers only concern was the oil leak from between the engine and the bell housing which he has assumed to be a leaking main seal.

I have seen this covered on the forums but I would like to ask the following...

1. If the car is currently losing oil, patch approx. 2 inch diameter when parked up overnight after covering 100 mile journey - how much longer is it likely to last before requiring replacement? i.e. can I do my 5000 mile trip by just topping up the oil daily?

2. Can the main seal be replaced by a DIY'er on his driveway with relative ease?

3. I have found a replacement seal for a whopping £8.83 http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=4451 is this the correct seal?

Thanks

[Paul240480]

I had that seal let by on my old 850 T5 some years back.

It came to light as a creaking/groaning noise on take off in 1st gear.

The oil had leaked and had got into the bellhousing contaminating the clutch . It was someting to do with the clutch that was groaning.

Luck was up for me as it was still under warranty from the Indie in Fareham (Peel Common Showroom) . He did the work (new clutch & seal) then claimed on said warranty, phew!

I think the answer to your question is a bit 'how long is a piece of string- ish' sadly.

Good Luck

[pompeymj]

Paul,

I thought it might be but just wanted to see if anyone had ignored it and for how long.

I'll pop to the indie at Peel common later in the week as I am nearby. Cambridge Volvo at Havant quoted £800 to replace it.

MJ

[Paul240480]

I think Peel Common will come in cheaper, though he is not the cheapest! I've not used him since I left Drayton in 2004...... Phil Lawden was the owner back then. No idea if he still is. I bought 3 from him and he maintained 5 for me over the years. He even bought back my T5 for cash when I moved to France.

[m0bzy]

My crank seal has been leaking for the last 40'000 miles,I am waiting for the clutch to give up so that I can replace both at the same time.Make sure your crankcase breather system is up to par as this causes the leak to intensify if not clean.

[pompeymj]

M0bzy, thanks for your post, that's certainly food for thought. We are doing a 450 mile journey this weekend and we are going to try and calculate oil loss. Cambridge Volvo said that the whole breather/PRV system was fine. I'm quite happy to give it a go as I have sufficient knowledge, just lacking some bigger workshop equipment. I'm sure a simple DIY engine hoist will suffice and the rest will just follow.

[capt jack]

Keep an eye on it and it should be fine - just messy!

When mine went a couple of years back I covered over 2000 miles in the three weeks between finding the leak and geting it fixed. The amount of oil lost wasn't very much - it just looked awful because the oil is quickly blown all over the underside of the car and even up the back window!

Bear in mind that an officious plod might take exception because any car following you is coated in a fine spray of oil too, which I think would make it enough to earn you at least an advisory at MoT time, if not a fail?

Mine's an auto, but on a manual car it'll be well worth fitting a new clutch as a part of the repair

I got the work done at a main dealer and the total bill was £650.

Jack

[pompeymj]

An oil leak was the only advisory on the mot 6 weeks ago. With an upcoming bank holiday weekend I'm tempted to do the repair. Mines a 2.0 auto but I am hoping to just drop the box.

[m0bzy]

I think the manual is a bit of a PITA as part of the subframe has to be dropped,I have been quoted £850 from two independants.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Forte Seal Conditioner did the trick on mine - it hasn't leaked since.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORTE-SEAL...item2571bc9af4