ky;

Now that you've read all the rotten things everybody had to write about your "mechanic", here is some (hopefully slightly more) constructive help...

In addition to the rear seal (which if the cause will result in oil dripping out of the drain hole at bottom of bell housing), there's additional oil plumbing which may be leaking...some things to check: the lines and fittings leading to the oil pressure gauge...PCV system (previously mentioned)...old style "pancake" heat exchanger/cooler located under the oil filter (if fitted)...

With all of the air blowing around the engine compartment while on the road (especially at 90mph) any leakage will be blown all over the place...so I suggest you look around and try to locate the oily area, wipe the area which is oily, and if it is not obvious from where the oil is leaking, start and run the engine for a couple of minutes to make pressure, shut off, and carefully look around again for the source...

Good Luck

I just have to add a great big huge DITTO to the posts below.

And am I wrong in thinking a pool (or at least some solid drips) of oil isn't a rare thing under an old Volvo ; ^)

You did not do a bad thing. I have a 72 with a B20F and I drive it like hell all the time. My engine is still like new but I have seen my share of oil leaks.
Your machanic is suspect #1. These engines are tough little power plants.
Thad
Seattle

Agree with all. The BIG '?' is WHO is the mechanic??? I'm sure that I am not the only one who would like to know where NOT to go!

Ain't capitalism wonderful!!!


Regards,



David

Wow. I know this has been covered, but get your car back in your posession and talk to another mechanic. The guy you talked to is a fool or a crook!
--
Justin 70 1800E, 66 122E

KY;

Tell us the secret of your "invisibility", please.

That story sounds a lot like what I did to bring the J5R No. 3 back FROM Chicago to New England*...and early on in that trip, after high oil comsumption, I was driving two quarts down(!)...

*read about trip: http://www.intelab.com/swem/j5rhistory.htm

...but you certainly DID'NT do anything the car wasn't intended to to...it sounds like your "mechanic" wants to sell you some work you dont need (when all you probably "blew" was a main seal) ...did he also say "those old Volvos need a lot of work...and rebuilding their engines is especially tough and therefore expensive"?

Please get a second opinion from someone whose not looking to add a deck to his house at your expense, and let us know how it works out!

Cheers

I agree with the other posters -- you could not have returned home and parked your car with a "blown engine," and if you did blow it, you'd know it. Your mechanic is blowing smoke. (Unless, of course, you "overlooked" telling us important information, such as that loud hammering inside the engine for the last 10 miles.....)

Time for a new mechanic.

Look for a bad engine seal, or possibly a bad gasket.

I have a rebuilt B20F that I intended for my '73 'ES. The 'ES remains under the trees and the engine remains in the garage. Bored to 2.2 liters, c/r of 10.5:1, Mahle pistons, fully balanced (stem to stern), "R" cam, IPD lifters and pusrods, dual springs, alloy retainers, bronze guides, teflon valve seals, steel gears, hi-output oil pump, head cc'd, ported, polished, headers....

I'm still not ready to sell it, however.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I don't think you did a bad thing at all. That's what those cars are for - going faster than anyone thinks they can.
Put a stop work order on your mechanic. I agree with the others here, as more than likely you had a leak at a seal, especially if you have the felt type crank seals. Oil gets thrown around the inside of the bell housing, and when you park, it drains off the hot engine and makes the puddle.
As mentioned before, it isn't the oil that indicates a blown engine, it is a mechanical symptom, and it sounds like you don't have any negative ones.
Noises, compression, smoke, uneven running - those things lead to a repair, which even then may not indicate a rebuild.
Keep us all posted.

Perhaps if the compression is shot to hell now, I'd say for a rebuild. But personally, I won't be suprised if it's an oil seal that blew out.

Have some compression tests ran first, then decide.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

Steady state cruising at 90mph should be no problem for that engine.

You said that there was a puddle of oil under the car the day after returning from your trip, but nothing about how the car ran at that time. Did you try to start it, or did you immediately have it towed to the shop? If the latter, then I'm afraid that your "mechanic" is trying to make a few boat payments at your expense. A "big puddle of oil" is indicative of a blown rear main seal, not a blown engine.

-=Bob=-