Diagnosing Core Plug Issues

WrathOfKain · Oct 6th, 2019, 23:50

I am currently trying to get my hands on a decent XC90 E3 model but fearful of this dreaded CORE PLUG issue. Amazed me to hear such a cheap part failing could result in such a consequence, but i suppose thats just the way of things.

Anyway I am looking for a better understanding of tell tale signs. I am distance buying and often see oil leaks mentioned in the MOT advisories and being a glass half empty type of person my first thoughts are "core plug?!". I know these are aged vehicles and may just have a wee innocent weep/leak.

And of course its probably not the case this issue is as prevalent as i think but the very first XC90 i had booked to go and look at was pulled at the dealership with the core plug issue and he reckoned he had seen a fair few before.

I know there is no crystal ball but if i have a mechanic looking a vehicle over for me is there anything i can point him to or does it all just come down to a massive loss in oil ?

Is there a typical range of miles where if it was to fail that it would fail? i.e. if it was going to fail it would have failed in the first 100,000 ?

Also if I did end up getting stung with a core plug issue what would it cost to get repaired?

Merci Buckets

Clan · Oct 7th, 2019, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrathOfKain

I am currently trying to get my hands on a decent XC90 E3 model but fearful of this dreaded CORE PLUG issue. Amazed me to hear such a cheap part failing could result in such a consequence, but i suppose thats just the way of things.

Anyway I am looking for a better understanding of tell tale signs. I am distance buying and often see oil leaks mentioned in the MOT advisories and being a glass half empty type of person my first thoughts are "core plug?!". I know these are aged vehicles and may just have a wee innocent weep/leak.

And of course its probably not the case this issue is as prevalent as i think but the very first XC90 i had booked to go and look at was pulled at the dealership with the core plug issue and he reckoned he had seen a fair few before.

I know there is no crystal ball but if i have a mechanic looking a vehicle over for me is there anything i can point him to or does it all just come down to a massive loss in oil ?

Is there a typical range of miles where if it was to fail that it would fail? i.e. if it was going to fail it would have failed in the first 100,000 ?

Also if I did end up getting stung with a core plug issue what would it cost to get repaired?

Merci Buckets

They used a metal plug after 2004 which gives no problem , the original was a rubber plug . What happens is that excessive crankcase breather pressure blows the plug out , so keep an eye on the breather system if you have a pre 2005 engine . When they go they go , the plug pops out and you have the engine blowing oily crankcase fumes and oil out behind the flywheel . When you buy a new plug you get the metal one now ...

WrathOfKain · Oct 7th, 2019, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

They used a metal plug after 2004 which gives no problem , the original was a rubber plug . What happens is that excessive crankcase breather pressure blows the plug out , so keep an eye on the breather system if you have a pre 2005 engine . When they go they go , the plug pops out and you have the engine blowing oily crankcase fumes and oil out behind the flywheel . When you buy a new plug you get the metal one now ...

Whats the rough cost at the garage .... was going through posts last night and i think in general they were saying c. 6 hrs ... albeit i think a number of these were on models other than the XC90.

Clan · Oct 7th, 2019, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrathOfKain

Whats the rough cost at the garage .... was going through posts last night and i think in general they were saying c. 6 hrs ... albeit i think a number of these were on models other than the XC90.

The official time is 8.5 hours so going to be a £1000+ job ...

WrathOfKain · Oct 8th, 2019, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

The official time is 8.5 hours so going to be a £1000+ job ...

Holly****olley ..... no wonder that first dealer pulled the car .... he said it was sold but suspect he was just pulling it .... to fix and then up the price or he found this and more.

Mind you is the core plug as prolific as i thought .... i know the internet doesnt show all the vehicles that are ok ... and it might just have been a horrible coincidence the first one i looked at had it ?

So is it unlikely a mobile mechanic will pick up anything on his inspection i.e. it just randomly goes ?

owenfackrell · Oct 8th, 2019, 15:32

I had mine done when i had the clutch done as it was a 5 minute job once they had already pulled the gearbox however this is not something that you would do on an auto.

WrathOfKain · Oct 8th, 2019, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by owenfackrell

I had mine done when i had the clutch done as it was a 5 minute job once they had already pulled the gearbox however this is not something that you would do on an auto.

Its a horrific one that .... its truely the achilles heel of volvo

eternal optimist · Oct 9th, 2019, 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

They used a metal plug after 2004 which gives no problem , the original was a rubber plug . What happens is that excessive crankcase breather pressure blows the plug out , so keep an eye on the breather system if you have a pre 2005 engine . When they go they go , the plug pops out and you have the engine blowing oily crankcase fumes and oil out behind the flywheel . When you buy a new plug you get the metal one now ...

Do you know when the change happened? Was it 2004 model year cars?

WrathOfKain · Oct 9th, 2019, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternal optimist

Do you know when the change happened? Was it 2004 model year cars?

From what I have READ its 2006 ... you can identify vy the colour of the engine cover .... black is the one with the core plug issue .... albeit i may be completely wrong .... just at the bottom of the learning curev right now

GSTheo119 · Oct 10th, 2019, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

They used a metal plug after 2004 which gives no problem , the original was a rubber plug . What happens is that excessive crankcase breather pressure blows the plug out , so keep an eye on the breather system if you have a pre 2005 engine . When they go they go , the plug pops out and you have the engine blowing oily crankcase fumes and oil out behind the flywheel . When you buy a new plug you get the metal one now ...

This seems important if not crucial preventative maintenance, any guidance for checking/keeping this clear? found an old thread but none the wiser.

Oct 6th, 2019, 23:50	#1
WrathOfKain Member Last Online: May 25th, 2021 00:01 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Highlands	Diagnosing Core Plug Issues I am currently trying to get my hands on a decent XC90 E3 model but fearful of this dreaded CORE PLUG issue. Amazed me to hear such a cheap part failing could result in such a consequence, but i suppose thats just the way of things. Anyway I am looking for a better understanding of tell tale signs. I am distance buying and often see oil leaks mentioned in the MOT advisories and being a glass half empty type of person my first thoughts are "core plug?!". I know these are aged vehicles and may just have a wee innocent weep/leak. And of course its probably not the case this issue is as prevalent as i think but the very first XC90 i had booked to go and look at was pulled at the dealership with the core plug issue and he reckoned he had seen a fair few before. I know there is no crystal ball but if i have a mechanic looking a vehicle over for me is there anything i can point him to or does it all just come down to a massive loss in oil ? Is there a typical range of miles where if it was to fail that it would fail? i.e. if it was going to fail it would have failed in the first 100,000 ? Also if I did end up getting stung with a core plug issue what would it cost to get repaired? Merci Buckets

Oct 8th, 2019, 15:32	#6
owenfackrell Premier Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 19:04 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: southampton	I had mine done when i had the clutch done as it was a 5 minute job once they had already pulled the gearbox however this is not something that you would do on an auto.

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