Volvo Maintenance Hints for 7xx/9xx - Bill Garland's Nuclear ...

this. Then check the installation with a mirror and flashlight, all around. Be sure to pre-lube the
seal surface where it contacts the shaft before assembly. A Volvo tech told me to use white
lithium grease to fill the small recess of the shaft contact area. Also do not hammer the seal in
as the jolts can dislodge the spring causing a leak. [Response: Dick Riess] Volvo even went so
far as to advise a wait of 20 minutes to make certain they were in ok as they can flip the seal lip.
I use some Vaseline on my seal lips and use an old seal backwards to tap on to insert new seal.
Don’t drive new seal all the way in either. Would clean the crank surface with some of that 3M
Scotchbrite of or a strip of fine emory papers like they use to polish cranks. [Editor’s note: use
the less abrasive Scotchbrite blue]. [Response: Ivan K] To prevent the seal spring from getting
out of position during installation, pack the area around it with grease. [Response:] When
punting the cam oil seal, I always put a bit of red RTV/Permatex on these seals between the
cylinder head and bearing cap for insurance... [Editor's Note: See Cam Seal Replacement]
Also use sealant on the valve cover gasket, where it has a sharp bend around the front bearing
cap. If You Are a 240 Owner Reading This: The only thing you have to worry about that most
700/900 owners don't is maintaining the correct intermediate shaft timing, because the
distributor is driven off the intermediate shaft on the 240 versus the back end of the camshaft for
most 700/900s. Crank Seal Leaks After Installation.
[Problem:] I could kick myself! I just checked my front main crank seal I replaced a week ago!
After running the car for a short bit, I noticed leakage at the bottom of the crank housing!
Ahhhhgg! I know when I put the seal in it was flush to the housing and felt even all the way
around! I have heard you should seat them deeper when replacing one - but it looked good and
I did not have the proper seal tool to do the job, plus I afraid to seat it to deep and get a leak that
way. I used a giant 3/4 socket to seat it in the past. But this time I didn't have it around! I bet I
didn't seat it far enough or messed up the spring! [Suggestions:] If it leaks after installation, you
probably flipped your seal lip; I have done it more than once. [More:] Something I did on mine
when I replaced it was coat it thoroughly with petroleum jelly. I had been warned that the seal
can be messed up by installing it "dry". Also, are you sure it's straight? If it is cocked at an
angle, it will leak. Also, You may have popped out the spring! If you pounded the seal the spring
can pop out. Check it! If you didn't buy an original seal, check the rotation mark. They make
seals for both rotation directions. [Eventual solution:] Spring had popped out. [Jon Scheetz] : If
you are looking for an oil leak that appears to be a shaft seal on the front of the engine, be sure
to check the security of the bolts holding the metal crank seal carrier cover on the lower front of
the engine block. On my 1995 940, I had replaced all the shaft seals when I renewed the timing
belt only to have the leak return almost immediately. When I went back in and checked the front
cover bolts, a couple were barely finger tight. I did not trust a gasket that had leaked to seal
again by simply tightening the bolts. So I carefully removed the front cover, cleaned the block
and renewed the gasket. The routing of the engine wiring complicates removing the front cover
but it can be done: loosen/remove all the wiring attachments and wiggle. The bottom of the front
cover also mates with the oil pan. I cleaned the pan gasket surface with solvent and applied a
sealant before replacing the front cover. This fixed my leaks. I now recheck these bolts when
ever I'm in to do the timing belt but have not had a recurrence.
Front Cam Seal Replacement. Tools:[Tip from Zippy] The latest seal installer for the cam and
intermediate shaft seals is nylon and steel (Volvo special tool 9995025) and I don't see how