S40 V40: Where could this oil come from? V40 1.8 2003

[PetterF]

Hi all,
I'm buying a v40 1.8 from 2004. It seems in good nick but there is an area under the motor covered in oil. The rest of the engine bay seems dry.

Where would it come from? I don't know these engines and wonder what could be on top of this area. As you stand looking into the engine bay, it's slightly to the right of center. Look at the pic shows where the oil has accumulated underneath.

I just want an idea of what it could be. Major, or 'minor' fix?

Thx.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by PetterF

Hi all,
I'm buying a v40 1.8 from 2004. It seems in good nick but there is an area under the motor covered in oil. The rest of the engine bay seems dry.

Where would it come from? I don't know these engines and wonder what could be on top of this area. As you stand looking into the engine bay, it's slightly to the right of center. Look at the pic shows where the oil has accumulated underneath.

I just want an idea of what it could be. Major, or 'minor' fix?

Thx.

Likely to be a Gearbox drive shaft seal leaking ... ??

[ITSv40]

As Clan says above.

I would also be concerned about the rag tied to the suspension brace bar. It would appear to be there to stop the engine cross member knocking and if so it is indicative of the engine mounts being shot. That alone could contribute to the driveshafts leaking oil. There is no other logical reason for the rag to be there.

[PetterF]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

As Clan says above.

I would also be concerned about the rag tied to the suspension brace bar. It would appear to be there to stop the engine cross member knocking and if so it is indicative of the engine mounts being shot. That alone could contribute to the driveshafts leaking oil. There is no other logical reason for the rag to be there.

OMG, I didn't even see that. Yeah, seems to be zip-tied on, and worn at that.

Can't thank you all enough for your help.
Either ammo or some bargaining, or a reason to look into another v40 that just turned up.

Cheers.

[john.wigley]

Out of interest, 'PetterF', and if you don't mind my asking, what might one expect to pay for a 20 year old Volvo in Sweden today? I seem to recall that they were much dearer in neighbouring Denmark (something to do with taxation?) than in Sweden, but in both countries cars were considerably more expensive than the UK.

For example, my own 2000 V70 cost me £550 from a dealer 7 years ago, around 5-6000 SEK in your money.

Regards, John.

[PetterF]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Out of interest, 'PetterF', and if you don't mind my asking, what might one expect to pay for a 20 year old Volvo in Sweden today? I seem to recall that they were much dearer in neighbouring Denmark (something to do with taxation?) than in Sweden, but in both countries cars were considerably more expensive than the UK.

For example, my own 2000 V70 cost me £550 from a dealer 7 years ago, around 5-6000 SEK in your money.

Regards, John.

Hi John,

Sorry, on the slow answer

I'm only looking at the very bottom of the market, trying to find a something that has minimal body rust, no major mechanical faults, and has still half a year left until the next yearly safety check (MOT?). I'm looking to pay 15000 SEK (1100 sterling) for that. I do see the same models advertised for double or more, but maybe there is probably. something extra special about them: restored or hi-spec motor maybe.

I do know that 145s and 245s are getting good prices now. I sold a straight and clean 245 10 years ago for 5000 SEK, and it'd get 20000 SEK now, but that's probably it becoming a classic model.

I think average v50s are going for as little as 20000 SEK and more. Less than that then there is probably something more major that needs fixing.

Again, I don't know the market very well, but that's what I kinda see via my own few touch points.

(excuse any misspelling I hate writing on my phone)

[magnuz]

Originally Posted by PetterF

OMG, I didn't even see that. Yeah, seems to be zip-tied on, and worn at that.

Can't thank you all enough for your help.
Either ammo or some bargaining, or a reason to look into another v40 that just turned up.

Cheers.

I have some rubber attached to my cross brace in a similar place to that one, i put it on to stop the plastic undertray rattling !

[john.wigley]

Thank you. I agree, large fingers and small screens can make for a difficult combination! For the same reason I dislike predictive text!

I too have also bought and sold 1, 2 and 7 series cars for a few hundred pounds, but as you say, those days are now long past. I think the market for 'our' sort of cars may now be much closer than it was say 20 or so years ago.

Hope that you will soon find a suitable car that meets your needs.

Regards, John.

[nokinnikon]

Rear main seal I shouldn't wonder, does your clutch slip and/or give off an acrid stench?

[PetterF]

Originally Posted by nokinnikon

Rear main seal I shouldn't wonder, does your clutch slip and/or give off an acrid stench?

It didn't seem too slippy, but it was snowing when I test drove the car, so I couldn't give it a proper drive.
I think it's probably worth taking it to a garage to see if they can find the leak. And just put it onto the purchase price of the car.