850 loses a quart every few thousand miles. Last time I changed the plugs I noticed a bunch of raw oil under the aluminum cover that hides the plugs and wires. Where's the oil coming from? How can I stop the leak?
Thanks for your time.

Hello,

As the others stated, it could be a filler cap seal. However, I wouldn't rule out a leaking valve cover. If the entire valve cover is wet with oil (I mean so wet that it's laying in the dips in the cover) from intake to exhaust side, it's likely not just the filler cap that's leaking. Leaking valve covers on these aren't altogether uncommon, and are fairly inexpensive to fix. If the valve cover begins to leak too badly, it will leak oil into the spark plug wells and cause misfiring. The valve cover gasket is liquid (no actual gasket) and the timing belt, etc. needs to be removed to take off the cover. Other than that, it's pretty straight-forward. It may be a good time to replace the front and rear cam seals as well. Anyway, I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything else...

Joe S. - Volvo Master Technician

2000 S70 AWD (currently wrecked), 1981 242 Turbo w/intercooler

Thanks for the info, yall. Sounds like a good time to do the timing belt as well.

N.J.P.
1995 850, 176K
1987 740, 213K and not leaking or burning a drop!

I had the same issue. Go to the dealer and get a oil filler gasket...about $5.00. Make sure you rub oil on both sides before replacing it with the old filler cap gasket. Also check your flame trap to make sure it's not clogged creating extra oil pressure.

John

The oil filler cap gasket is a secondary issue. One thing you need to be sure of is if the crankcase ventilation is working properly. I had the same thing on my 855, XC, and 245. I checked ventilation operation and it was fine so I replaced the gasket and all was fine and no leaks. They all use the same gasket too. Volvo trucks use the same gasket. I buy them for $.25 a piece where I work. In fact if you go to any Volvo truck dealership, they'll sell 'em to you for about $.60. The 940096 number changes to a 1275379.
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'98 XC '95 855 GLT '83 245 DL (245 for sale! e-mail me if your looking to buy); The Purple Neon has been sold (sniff) All over 120k