I've had an oil leak for a couple of weeks, and figured that the drain plug or filter had just worked itself loose. I took it in to the shop today and they said my rear engine seal needs replacement to the tune of $600 (8 hours labor).

Any reactions? It's a manual gearbox, BTW.

Thanks,

Eric

Well, they changed the seal and checked the flame trap. Flame trap was in good condition, so it looks like the seal was a lemmon.

Cost was $596.13 for parts/labor.

Thanks for all the info.

Eric

Book time, Chiltons or Motor is 10 hours for turbo, 9.5 for non-turbo so they're charging you a better rate than book time.

Similar problem was diagnosed and replaced on my '97 850R with only 42000 miles. Fortunately my car is still under Volvo warranty plus extended Volvo warranty. The rear main seal was leaking like almost nothing but my service manager pointed it out. So I told him to do whatever was necessary including new front ball joints/bottom A-arms. Total bill to Volvo was a little over $1300. I would suggest to fellow bricksters to have that rear main seal replaced while car is still under warranty. It's a lot bills....

First time I'm hearing this happen on so recent a vintage. We usually read about it happening on '95's or earlier based on age. How many miles do you have on it? Have you checked the flame trap?

If the flame trap is the problem, would it have blown the gasket, or are you suggesting that it may the flame trap instead of the gasket and it was misdiagnosed?

What is the suggested change/clean interval for the flame trap? I've never touched it, but I've only had the car for 20k miles. (50k when I bought it & 70k now.)

Thanks,

Eric

The flame trap is the crankcase ventilation system on naturally aspirated Volvos. The flame trap is little more than a plastic screen. If this screen is clogged and the crankcase cannot vent, the pressure could cause the rear main seal leak. Some have also reported the oil fill gasket leaking as well with a clogged flame trap. I am not suggesting it was misdiagnosed- the flame trap may just have been the cause. Then again, as Claude indicated, sometimes they just go for no rhyme or reason.

The car has 70k miles on it. The local shop near my office diagnosed the problem today while doing an oil change.

It's going in to the dealership tomorrow for a new T-belt anyway, so I'm going to have them confirm that it is the rear engine seal and fix it if it is...

Is there something that can cause this failure prematurely?

Eric

My dealer claims these rear engine seals are a "crapshoot" with no real rhyme or reason as to why some fail and others do not (excepting of course if you have been driving around with a clogged flametrap, which could indeed explain it)

My base 5-spd has 210k miles (mostly long haul, but not necessarily highway miles) and has shown no signs of leakage, not even an oil seep, anywhere and I still have the original clutch. I will change the rear seal when I finally need to do the clutch. If your car has had a lot of city miles, you may want to consider changing out the clutch while it is opened up. Certainly worth having a close look at it. Good luck with it. It is a shame such a cheap little part takes so many hours to get at.

Cheapest price I have found in MA at a Volvo garage is just under $900. Where are you located. Mines been leaking awhile and I'm getting tired of cleaning the back of the car after a good highway run.

Mark K.

I'm in Maynard, MA. I was quoted the $600 by Farrell Volvo in Southborough.

Eric

Take the deal our shop charges 10 hours.