2001 EX-V6 blew the main oil seal?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by G-Man, Feb 17, 2005.

  1. G-Man

    G-Man Guest

    Anyone else have this happen? I had a big puddle of oil under the car and
    found out it was the main seal. $600 fix. $10 seal and the rest labor.
    Transmission had to be dropped.

    Car only has 126k on it. Never had a problem like this before and I usually
    put close to 200k on them before trading/selling.

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Feb 17, 2005
    #1
  2. G-Man

    slider Guest

    You are scaring me.i have 124,000 kms. on my v6-ex right now.
    Tell me you had a bad dream,right?
     
    slider, Feb 17, 2005
    #2
  3. G-Man

    G-Man Guest

    More like an "F"ing nightmare!

    What can I say, othere than scheduled maintenance, it's the only money I've
    ever spent on the car.

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Feb 17, 2005
    #3
  4. Seal failures can happen anywhere, anytime. Sorry about it happening to you,
    right then.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Feb 18, 2005
    #4
  5. G-Man

    Seth Guest

    I'll let you know in 9,000 miles (you're talking miles and not km, correct?)
    as I have the same exact vehicle, currently at 117,000 miles.
     
    Seth, Feb 18, 2005
    #5
  6. G-Man

    motsco_ _ Guest

    ----------------------------

    Make sure the PCV is not stuck open / closed, or you might get to do it
    all over again, later.

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, Feb 18, 2005
    #6
  7. G-Man

    Brian Stell Guest

    Disclaimer: I'm a computer engineer not a automobile designer/mechanic.
    However, I believe I went thru something related to this on my older Volvo.

    For a seal to "blow" there has to be something to produce the pressure
    to "blow" it. Correct me if I'm wrong but seals that wear out just start
    leaking faster and faster; more and more leakage but not a "blow out" as
    mentioned.

    So what would cause a blow out? As best as I can guess: it either fell
    out or was pushed out by pressure. Let's assume it didn't fall out. What
    would cause pressure?

    How about the PVC (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve? If the PVC
    valve stops working then the blow-by from the cylinders has no where to
    go. This means pressure in the crankcase builds up and presses on the seals.

    My experience: my Volvo had started leaking oil out of the top of the
    engine (yes top!) from the oil filler cap. I replaced the oil filler cap
    seal several times but it continued to leak. I kept asking myself "why
    would oil leak out the top?". Finally I figured out I had a clogged
    flame trap (Volvo's equivalent to a PVC valve). I had that replaced
    (quite cheap) and no more leaking!

    Maybe you had a blow out because your PVC valve was clogged. Had you
    ever replaced it?
     
    Brian Stell, Feb 18, 2005
    #7
  8. Good point, Brian. Although I have had seals that failed suddenly like that
    (I don't know why) the crankcase ventilation is a real concern.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Feb 18, 2005
    #8
  9. G-Man

    G-Man Guest

    Good advice guys. I'm going to replace the PCV valve today if I can find it
    :)

    When I say BLEW, I have no idea of the condition. I just know it failed.
    But it's not worth risking again for a $25 part.

    I will say I noticied it after a 6 hour drive and 70-80 mph speeds. That
    would certainly puts it if the PCV was clogged.

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Feb 18, 2005
    #9
  10. G-Man

    G-Man Guest

    Okay, PCV replaced...peace of mind anyway.

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Feb 18, 2005
    #10
  11. G-Man

    Jafir Elkurd Guest

    Sometimes this faster and faster happens so fast that it seems like a blow
    out. I've seen this a few times with rear main seals. The output if the
    crank is spinning pretty fast inside the seal.... so all you need is a
    little, tiny failure and the spinning crankshaft can make quick work of it.

    Now on a seal that is for stationary parts (like an oil pan gasket) you
    would be more likely to have a more gradual leak that grows bigger.
     
    Jafir Elkurd, Feb 19, 2005
    #11
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.