Volvo’s refers to their positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system as a ‘flame trap’. This system has been used on Volvo models as far back as the early 70’s. Its purpose is to recycle or reburn the combustions gasses and unused fuel that leaks past the piston rings and into the crankcase. The amount of vapors generated in a turbo engine are such that if the flame trap system is clogged it can actually push engine oil past seals on the crankshaft and cam shafts. The system is made up of few basic parts starting with an oil separator that allows any suspended liquid to condense and drain back down to the oil pan. There are also a number of tubes connecting the oil separator box to three passages in the engine block, and one tube running to the intake tract just before the turbo. This last tube is where the positive pressure in the crankcase is sucked out of the engine by the turbo and keeps the internal engine pressure in a slight vacuum. Infrequent oil changes, rich running engine, poor fuel/oil quality, and hard driving all contribute to carbon buildup which is the main cause of oil separator box clogging. To access the flame trap system you’ll need to remove the intake manifold so pickup and intake manifold gasket in addition to your flame trap parts.

Click here or the diagram above for a full listing of all the flame trap parts we carry.

Sale pricing valid from March 7, 2008 through May 23, 2008