B230F Crankcase Pressure (Flame Trap)

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

Hi,
I’ve recently bought a bunch of parts for my B230F:
- New oil cap seal (old one was hard and leaking)
- New PCV/Flame trap breather thing
- New timing belt kit & Covers
- Tensioners and water pump

I completed the easiest job first but may have created more problems… I replaced the oil cap seal but since doing this I now see a couple of oil drops on the ground. Now I fear I may have allowed too much pressure to build up in the engine and have a blown a rear main seal or similar? These oil drops weren’t there before replacing the cap seal.

This week I plan to fit a new breather but how do I test the old one to make sure it was breathing correctly and wasn’t totally blocked? Just blow through it or? I’m not sure if this was ever replaced or when it was done last.

Thanks,
Martin

James (@jamesinc)

With the engine idling, unscrew the oil cap but leave it resting in place. It should wobble around. If you open the throttle a little bit, it should be sucked down against the valve cover. If, instead, it wobbles more or is blown off entirely, that's a good sign that you've got a blocked breather.

Oil drops don't necessarily mean a seal has blown. Replacing the PCV and flame trap and ensuring it's all free of blockages may be all you need to do to fix it, but it's impossible to say for sure until you do.

ramrod (@ramrod)

I had a rear main seal oil leak, and when I replaced the oil trap, oil trap hose, oil trap o-ring, flame trap, flame trap hose, 3507245 inlet hose, the leak stopped.

The parts you're talking about are so cheap that you don't really need to bother worrying about checking if they are blocked (chances are they are anyway) so I would just replace the whole lot and enjoy an engine that can breathe and not push oil out of every orifice

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

I removed the PCV and it was easier than people mentioned online, where is the best place to get the hoses from - straight to volvo or just grab some coolant hoses from repco?
I've removed mine and they had crud inside but still breathable. I'd prefer new hoses though to be honest. Flame trap is ok.

ramrod (@ramrod)

You're changing the flame trap and oil trap inlet hoses, not coolant hoses (although it would be a good idea to change those too as part of precautionary maintenance)

Where to get them is up to you - dealer, fcpeuro, IPD, wherever

PS: Buy a new flame trap (they're cheap)

James (@jamesinc)

I think he means can he buy generic hose to use in place of the Volvo hoses. Yes you can, but you don't want coolant hose, you want a hose that is rated for engine oil, so something like low-pressure fuel delivery hose.

@morch_66479 the main reason for using the OE hoses is the weird bends they have, if you can route generic hose go nuts. Beware the little S-shaped hose that runs between the flame trap and the PCV, every aftermarket one I've bought has instantly split in half.

ramrod (@ramrod)

James (@jamesinc) wrote: »

I think he means can he buy generic hose to use in place of the Volvo hoses. Yes you can, but you don't want coolant hose, you want a hose that is rated for engine oil, so something like low-pressure fuel delivery hose.

Don't do that; that's bodgy.

But hey, it's not my car

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll clean and install the hoses that came out for now. I'll buy new ones and install them later on.

egads (@egads)

A big supercheap auto assortment of mackay hoses hoses can generally be mined for the diameters, specs and curves you need if you are ever stuck

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

egads (@egads) wrote: »

A big supercheap auto assortment of mackay hoses hoses can generally be mined for the diameters, specs and curves you need if you are ever stuck

Mackay hoses are just heater hoses and may not work well with oil/exhaust gases?

ramrod (@ramrod)

Not only that, you won't have much luck getting them to fit. You must buy the correct actual hoses for the job if you want a successful outcome. This is something which you cannot expect a good result using incorrect parts

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

Exactly, i'll source the original parts and get them fitted. Thanks for your help on this

morch_66479 (@morch_66479)

Original parts sourced from Berry Motor Group, new trap and hoses. All fitted.
Engine is breathing like an athlete now!!