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Elring seals are not the same as Volvo seals, I don't care what europarts says. Install an Elring seal, and then install a Volvo seal. You'll see the difference. The independent Volvo shop I know well will use Elring seals in some applications, but for B230 rear main and camshaft seals they only use Volvo.
I have installed Elring seals on the cam and intermediate shafts. I can also tell you they leak sooner. I think the cam/intermediate shaft seal is about $16 from Volvo. The so called OEM seal is about $4. I won't install the so called OEM seal since I don't like doing anything twice, even where it is easy to do on the front of the engine.
The Volvo rear main seal even comes with an what I will call an expander/installation tool in it. Without this in place, I don't think you can get the Volvo seal over the rear main sealing surface. The Elring seal will slide right on. Yes, the Volvo rear main seal is about $40. I can save about $34 with the so called OEM seal, but it isn't worth it to me.
You buy Volvo seals from Volvo, although some vendors may carry them.
Same for oil traps. If you buy the so called OEM oil trap, you'll be replacing it soon. The Volvo oil trap is much better and will last for years.
I try to save money everyplace I can, but I know when a part which costs less is a cheap part. Like rebuilt clutches, I don't buy those either.
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john
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