I jut got some bad news from my local mechanic on my 1998 V70R. I have a schematic of the oil leak but don't know the actual terms.

It appears that the lower part of the engine has a two piece assembly that encases the crank. In order from the bottom there is the oil pan which bolts onto this lower crank "support" which in turn mounts up to the engine block and holds the crank in place. The gasket that seals this lower portion to the engine block is leaking on the turbo side.

My local mechanic, although competent, does not want to get into it given that it sets up the clearance on the crank and experience with performing this work would be essential.

What am I looking at here? Is this a common leak? Apparently the whole engine and transmission needs to come out and be completely dissassembled? I am taking in to my local Volvo dealer in the next week or so but would love some advice first.

Thanks, John.

I had a 1998 V70 but it was a GLT. I had the oil leak, twice, about 3 years apart. Both times it was the same leak. It was just a $5 gasket but with labor it as a $100 bill both times. Could be what you have. Ray.

We're going to look at this in particular when I bring it back to the local mechanic next week. The local Volvo dealer says they have never sold that part (gasket I assume). Hopefully I'll be the first. Given the other alternative I hope it's the piston oilers.

Btw, mine only has 62k miles on it.

John.

That is an uncommon problem.

A common problem is the oil return line from the turbo leaks.
I'd clean up the oil and check that the oil return line is not
the issue and get a second opinion (maybe a good dealer). This
is so common I bet the parts people know the part number for the
hasket by heart (costs is about a buck for the part).

There are also some parts that pump oil onto the bottoms of the
piston that can leak and drop oil down the back. My 98 T5R had
this leak from the factory. Repair was a bit more involved then the
oil return line but they did it in an hour.

Finally, get someone with acces to the Technical Service Bulletins
for your car to look them over. Looking at the ones for my 98 S70 T5
(www.alldatadiy.com shows them to you for $25/year) it lists two common
leaks (oil pump screws and front oil pan bolts) as sources of leaks to be
investigated on my car. My oil pump actually did leak after about a
year, too.

Hello all,
I just rebuilt a s70 T5 engine and I know for a fact that the gasket that this mechanic is talking about is a liquid gasket, and it will only leak from brand new. DO NOT take the engine apart to change it.I'm not saying he is trying to rip you off, I think he is just not sure. It will be the turbo drain tube seal and gasket. At my dealer, we charge .5hr plus parts and taxes. $60.00 tops.
Clean the area really well and I bet the leak is gone.

Regards
Gazzer

Thanks. Yeah, these guys aren't trying to rip me off. If they were they wouldn't have told me to go to the Volvo dealer. I'm bringing it back again this week after the other suggestion of the piston oiler. I'll have them look closer.

Thanks Ray. The tech specifically told me that they were hoping that it was the turbo return line but when they checked with the Ultraviolet light the dye showed it coming from that gasket. BTW, I had the engine bottom pressure washed about 2 months ago after they fixed an oil pan leak so it should be relatively clean. I thought it was still leaking from there which prompted me to bring it back in.

I'll talk to them about the pistons oiling parts. Also, I'll check the technical bulletins.

John.