T4 crankcase ventilation

[Baffler]

Hi folks,

I have oil escaping somewhere down the back of the block and I've been advised by a mech at the stealers to check the elbow on the breather pipe which is located behind the inlet manifold. Apparently is advisory by Volvo as the elbow is prone to clogging with carbon.
Do I have to take off the manifold or will I get at it if I move the power steering pump to one side?

[mharriso]

I suggest removing the inlet manifold.... here's why....

If you want to service the whole PCV system to eliminate all area's of possible cause, you will need to remove the inlet manifold to access the oil trap at the base of the front of the block. Hence remove the inlet manifild onc and clean out all the associated items.Re the PCV system, you should also clean and clear the flame trap housing location, confirm all the breather holes as clear.

If the elbow is not the culprit then you will have removed the PS pump and lost the belt tension for nothing.

(Or you could remove the PCV air pump and hoes and valve control and simply block off the PCV inlet hole. then all you have is a breather to the oil trap). There are other posts here type in PCV removal in SEARCH for details.

Hope this helps...

[Baffler]

Bearing in mind that there's 163k miles up on it...will I need a new gasket for the inlet manifold or will it come away easily? I assume it's a paper gasket? How long do ya think I will need for this job?

[orpheus]

I have just cured an oil leak on the back of my T4 which I thought was due to blocked breather. It turned out to be an O-ring on the turbo oil drain pipe where it connects to the cylinder block. The ring, and the gasket for the flange at the turbo end cost me less than £3 and despite awkward access took me an hour for the job.

[pyaap]

Originally Posted by orpheus

I have just cured an oil leak on the back of my T4 which I thought was due to blocked breather. It turned out to be an O-ring on the turbo oil drain pipe where it connects to the cylinder block. The ring, and the gasket for the flange at the turbo end cost me less than £3 and despite awkward access took me an hour for the job.

This is a very common problem on turbocharged Volvos. Glad you got it sorted.

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by orpheus

I have just cured an oil leak on the back of my T4 which I thought was due to blocked breather. It turned out to be an O-ring on the turbo oil drain pipe where it connects to the cylinder block. The ring, and the gasket for the flange at the turbo end cost me less than £3 and despite awkward access took me an hour for the job.

Cheers Orpheus,

Yes, I have a new oil return O ring, along with various new seals and gaskets to go in with a new turbo I've acquired.. (that is when I get the time to fit it) ..but I want to know why it's building pressure as I don't want to blow any more seals. According to some of the Volvo check list history for my car there was an advisory on the rear crankshaft seal...which is a big job to replace as the gearbox has to come out!

Back to the thread... Can anyone advise on the inlet mainfold gasket? Will I need to replace it if I take off the manifold to access the breather pipes?

[PNuT]

Originally Posted by Baffler

Cheers Orpheus,

Yes, I have a new oil return O ring, along with various new seals and gaskets to go in with a new turbo I've acquired.. (that is when I get the time to fit it) ..but I want to know why it's building pressure as I don't want to blow any more seals. According to some of the Volvo check list history for my car there was an advisory on the rear crankshaft seal...which is a big job to replace as the gearbox has to come out!

Back to the thread... Can anyone advise on the inlet mainfold gasket? Will I need to replace it if I take off the manifold to access the breather pipes?

the oil leak may be completely unrelated to any crank pressure.... the seal that is at the bottom of the turbo return pipe is quite a well known weak point on T5 engines(i assume its the same seal on t4's).... i have seen oil pour out of them after having the PCV system completely changed

with regards to the gasket.... all the ones i have done on t5 engines have basically just fallen off..... but for the few pennies they cost always fit a new one!

if you search jodt5's technical section you will find some helpfull stuff on pcv's.... i would imagine alot of it will be relevant for t4's

[Toblerone]

Originally Posted by orpheus

I have just cured an oil leak on the back of my T4 which I thought was due to blocked breather. It turned out to be an O-ring on the turbo oil drain pipe where it connects to the cylinder block. The ring, and the gasket for the flange at the turbo end cost me less than £3 and despite awkward access took me an hour for the job.

I have this same problem at the moment - i'd be very interested in a brief elaboration on the work involved if anyone has a minute to type a mini-guide!