1999 S70... Do I have a cam seal leak? (w/pic)

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Apr 2014, 16:13

I have had this leak for quite some time. Just been adding tranny fluid to suffice.

Would this be considered a cam seal leak?
It leaks where the orange plastic seal is coming out..

And if anyone could tell me if there's a easier way to fix it other than taking the whole thing apart...

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 02 Apr 2014, 17:55

Is the oil dripping out engine oil or transmission fluid? Smell quite different and tranny fluid is reddish in color or a bit brown if dirty or burnt.
Remove the timing belt plastic cover and check for the potential engine cam seal leaking.
Check your tranny fluid dipstick for fluid loss.

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Apr 2014, 18:28

Well, it's dripping both but the oil plug is a different story. I've had to refill it with fluid so I know there's a leak. And ok, I will have to search for directions to remove it...

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Apr 2014, 19:10

Ugh, the cam seal would be in the engine not the transmission correct? Mechanic said I have cam seal AND tranny leak...

Post by **rspi** » 02 Apr 2014, 21:07

The car has 4 cam seals. Two on the front of the motor and 2 on the back of the motor. The front of the motor has the timing belt, the back of the motor is above the transmission.

Check the transmission, if it is loosing more than 8 ounces of tranny fluid per month I'd say you have a problem. If not, you may be able to stay on top of it. Pulling a tranny is expensive and it may take years of adding 8 oz to offset the cost.

Post by **rspi** » 02 Apr 2014, 21:09

Oh, here are some cam seal info:

http://atthetipwebs.com/technologyinstr ... s70glt.htm

http://atthetipwebs.com/technologyinstr ... s70glt.htm

Grrrr, you have a 1999 model, that means you likely have the CVVT exhaust cam which will be more work replacing if leaking.

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Apr 2014, 21:11

The cam seal has been. . . fixed!
I thought it was part of the transmission.

Thanks for the video.

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Apr 2014, 21:13

It was only one rear cam seal and was super easy-took under half hour.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 03 Apr 2014, 17:37

Camseals blowing is often caused by excessive crankcase pressure.
If the PCV system is beginning to clog up with sludge it may have caused (initially) that 1 seal to blow.
You may encounter further camseal failures if the above is the cause and may have been wiser to replace all 4 camseals to rule them out.
PCV problems also can blow the rear main seal which is very expensive and time consuming as the transmission has to come out to access it.
Do a 'rubber glove test' over the oil filler opening. It should suck inwards as opposed to inflating the glove which verifies the dreaded positive pressures.
Smoke from the oil dipstick tube with the stick removed is also indicative of PCV issues.