oil leaking upper right rear of engine (98 v70 )

redhorse2000 · Post by **redhorse2000** » 08 Aug 2012, 11:05

when viewing from underneaht the steady drip drip comes from upper right rear area of engine. Cannot see from air box area have been tring to find and enginebreakdown veiw to better undestand what is there that could leak oil before removing any items unnecessary.Would like to repair myself. Any suggestions

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Aug 2012, 11:41

Technically the upper right rear of the engine is the corner closest to the battery. But I think you mean none of the corners near the firewall? Which side, driver's or passenger's?

A picture of the area with the leak would go a long way for getting suggestions. Hopefully a moderator will move this to the maintenance section, you will get more replies there.

obayha · Post by **obayha** » 08 Aug 2012, 11:54

I'll take a stab and say the cam seals. If on rear upper, close to air box, that is my guess. The rear ones are not to bad of a repair.
Could also be plugged PCV system pumping oil out and looking like it's coming from that area.
Pictures will help.
What part of NC you in?

JeffersV70 · Post by **JeffersV70** » 08 Aug 2012, 13:08

Sounds like you might be referring to the rear exhaust camshaft. The seal is in behind the camshaft sensor. Either pop off the camshaft sensor and check for any oil behind it or use a mirror to look at the weep hole on the bottom of the sensor. I believe a leak here will drip down onto the transmission and down the back of the transmission. Also check the rear intake camshaft seal, which is behind the distributor cap and rotor. When this seal went on my '98 V70 N/A I would occasionally get rough idling, lack of power, and all kinds of misfire codes. I was able to purchase the seal at a local Napa for around $4.50, and it may have taken 30-45 minutes to change out. If you've blown a seal, double check your crankcase for any pressure at the oil dip tube, you don't want to lose your RMS next!

Post by **erikv11** » 08 Aug 2012, 13:35

Also is your car a turbo or non-turbo?

redhorse2000 · Post by **redhorse2000** » 08 Aug 2012, 14:35

could this be the cam bank seal?

Post by **cn90** » 08 Aug 2012, 15:05

If you want help, post a picture(s).

Cannot help w/o picture(s).

Post by **vjaneczko** » 08 Aug 2012, 16:14

cn90 wrote:If you want help, post a picture(s).

+1 - it would help a lot.

But from what you mention, it does sound like a cam seal. There are a few other things that it could be, but a pic would help isolate the problem. If you pull the airbox out (easy to do), you'll probably get a better view of the back-side of the engine. If you have a turbo, you'll also have a few intercooler hoses to deal with but they are also easy to remove.

One suggestion is to get a can of engine cleaner and scrub it clean, then drive it around for a day or two (checking your oil level, of course). That will make it easier to spot where the oil is coming from.

Post by **rspi** » 08 Aug 2012, 16:22

First of all, welcome to the forum.

What everyone is trying to say is that most oil leaks in these cars are caused by a blocked PCV system that hasn't been serviced or changed lately.

Then, a clogged PCV system will usually cause cam seals and crank (RMS) leaks. So, change the PCV system if it hasn't been serviced lately and then change the seals that are blown or missing.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Aug 2012, 07:02

I am replacing the REAR Cam seals this weekend (using SKF 11809 OEM seal) and will post some quick DIY.