Catastrophic oil leak!? 850 T5

liammedler · Jan 14th, 2022, 09:56

Morning all. After a cold (-3deg) drive to work this morning (3 miles), I parked up to discover a huge oil leak from behind the driver's headlamp - please see photos.

Can anyone think what the failure point could be? Oil cooler? Currently waiting to be recovered to a local Volvo garage

volvo again · Jan 14th, 2022, 11:01

From the location it could be a camshaft seal, but looks quite a lot of oil just for this, or maybe one of the hoses under the intake manifold has split, but again quite a lot of oil.
Has the pvc system been replaced ?
May be an idea to clean as much off as you can and try running engine to spot anything

Luxobarge · Jan 14th, 2022, 11:05

In that area, looks like engine oil cooler (end of radiator) to me, or the feed lines going to it. Do check the feed lines carefully, they are only held in with little spring clips, which can corrode and weaken, and although it's not common it's perfectly possible that all that has happened is that the feed or return pipe has popped out, in which case you've got a major cleaning up job to do but an easy fix. If it's the cooler on the end of the radiator then you're into a new rad, but failure of this is fairly common and on most cars it'll only be a matter of time before it needs replacing - although failure isn't normally as dramatic as that, which is why I'd be suspecting the feed pipes.

If you do replace the radiator, then you should also fit new spring clips and O rings to those feed pipes, same on the other side if it's an auto, easily and cheaply available from Volvo. In fact I'd be replacing all four (assuming auto) of those clips whether or not they are at fault. On mine I added a little cable tie round them too, for belt-and-braces protection.

Surely in that area it's got to be one of those two things?

All the best - happy cleaning up!

Bob Meadows · Jan 14th, 2022, 11:45

Is the oil filter ok?

acshortt5 · Jan 14th, 2022, 15:03

Looks like the oil cooler line has gone AWOL.

Make sure the aux belt is also 100% clean or replace it as you don't want that contaminated with oil otherwise it could slip off and take out the cam belt.

If the cam seals go then they will chuck out quite a bit of oil but it won't spray all over the engine bay, it will run down the block as the drivers side are behind the cams & cover and the passenger side are behind the dizzy/cam sensor.

Might also want to get that grey coolant cap changed for a new green one.

winsox · Jan 15th, 2022, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by acshortt5

Looks like the oil cooler line has gone AWOL.

Make sure the aux belt is also 100% clean or replace it as you don't want that contaminated with oil otherwise it could slip off and take out the cam belt.

If the cam seals go then they will chuck out quite a bit of oil but it won't spray all over the engine bay, it will run down the block as the drivers side are behind the cams & cover and the passenger side are behind the dizzy/cam sensor.

Might also want to get that grey coolant cap changed for a new green one.

Definitely with you on this ..I'll put money in top cooler line or bottom spraying this out !

Mkengineering · Jan 16th, 2022, 01:08

Within that location I'd say it's your oil cooler line.

Like other have said check both lines. Look for any cracks that will push oil out. By the looks of it I'd say you'll be able to spot it easily

Jan 14th, 2022, 11:01	#2
volvo again Master Member Last Online: Today 14:25 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Presteigne, mid Wales	From the location it could be a camshaft seal, but looks quite a lot of oil just for this, or maybe one of the hoses under the intake manifold has split, but again quite a lot of oil. Has the pvc system been replaced ? May be an idea to clean as much off as you can and try running engine to spot anything __________________ 1998 V70 2.5 Auto & Supercharged Mercedes C Class...

Jan 14th, 2022, 11:05	#3
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Today 17:31 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	In that area, looks like engine oil cooler (end of radiator) to me, or the feed lines going to it. Do check the feed lines carefully, they are only held in with little spring clips, which can corrode and weaken, and although it's not common it's perfectly possible that all that has happened is that the feed or return pipe has popped out, in which case you've got a major cleaning up job to do but an easy fix. If it's the cooler on the end of the radiator then you're into a new rad, but failure of this is fairly common and on most cars it'll only be a matter of time before it needs replacing - although failure isn't normally as dramatic as that, which is why I'd be suspecting the feed pipes. If you do replace the radiator, then you should also fit new spring clips and O rings to those feed pipes, same on the other side if it's an auto, easily and cheaply available from Volvo. In fact I'd be replacing all four (assuming auto) of those clips whether or not they are at fault. On mine I added a little cable tie round them too, for belt-and-braces protection. Surely in that area it's got to be one of those two things? All the best - happy cleaning up! __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Jan 14th, 2022, 15:03	#5
acshortt5 Volvo Nutcase Last Online: Jul 14th, 2023 12:57 Join Date: May 2007 Location: N/A View Photos By: acshortt5	Looks like the oil cooler line has gone AWOL. Make sure the aux belt is also 100% clean or replace it as you don't want that contaminated with oil otherwise it could slip off and take out the cam belt. If the cam seals go then they will chuck out quite a bit of oil but it won't spray all over the engine bay, it will run down the block as the drivers side are behind the cams & cover and the passenger side are behind the dizzy/cam sensor. Might also want to get that grey coolant cap changed for a new green one. __________________ Andrew 1998 S70 T5 CD AUTO Previously a 1990 240 GLT-R Last edited by acshortt5; Jan 14th, 2022 at 15:16.

Jan 14th, 2022, 11:45	#4
Bob Meadows Premier Member Last Online: Today 10:54 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: STANDISH LANCASHIRE	Is the oil filter ok?

Jan 16th, 2022, 01:08	#7
Mkengineering Master Member Last Online: Sep 30th, 2023 03:45 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Heathrow	Within that location I'd say it's your oil cooler line. Like other have said check both lines. Look for any cracks that will push oil out. By the looks of it I'd say you'll be able to spot it easily

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