2003 Volvo S40 L4-1.9L Turbo VIN 27 B4204T4 Oil leak

tbone_76 · Post by **tbone_76** » 19 Dec 2009, 20:16

2003 S40, approx. 105000 miles

I have an oil leak from the upper part of my engine. I have removed the timing belt cover and some oil is present as it is being slung around by the cam shaft pulleys. I have been planning to change the timing belt but the oil leak should be fixed first, right? I have ordered a timing belt kit and have read several examples of timing belt replacement on this site and I feel capable of doing that replacement.

Is there a prime suspect (gasket or seal) for the source of this oil leak? Is there an immediate danger that oil contamination may cause an issue with the timing belt? Thanks for your help.

Post by **billofdurham** » 20 Dec 2009, 12:05

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

There is a seal at the front end of both camshafts. These have been known to fail. However, how long is it since your positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system was cleaned, if ever? If this is becoming choked excess pressure will force oil out of seals. I have read the maintenance chart for the S40 and am amazed that the first PCV check is at 105,000 miles, same as the timing belt, but the next one is at 150,000 miles.

The source of the oil should be found and remedied before a new timing belt is put on. Oil and belts don't get on together.

Bill.

tbone_76 · Post by **tbone_76** » 20 Dec 2009, 19:01

thanks for your help bill. I will check the PCV system. It does seem like the source of the oil leak is from the exhaust camshaft as most of the oil contamination was on that side and oil is leaking down the engine on that side. I will clean the PCV system, clean the engine and inspect for futher oil leakage.