2002 V70 Oil leak

cyberwolf · Post by **cyberwolf** » 15 Mar 2015, 19:21

A couple of months ago when I had my V70 (non-turbo) at a local independent Volvo specialist, they noticed a little oil residue while the car was on the lift, all on the passenger side from the driveshaft pully on back. They said it was most likely the the lower seal and maybe the camshaft seals. They checked the pressure dipstick and said the PCV was fine.

Over the past two months I have seen some spots on the driveway, but it hasn't been using any oil. After a recent oil change and a 60 mile highway jaunt, things got much worse. It leaked nearly a quart on that trip. The leak seemed to be originating from behind the driveshaft pulley. There was oil everywhere from there on back, but only on the passenger side of the car and no higher on the engine. There was no oil on the timing belt.

I cleaned her up and have since put over 100 miles on around town and can't see any new leakage. What I have noticed is a whistling noise that goes away when I pull the dipstick out, a sign of a clogged PCV from what I've been reading.

So, my question is do I replace the PCV and see what happens or go straight to the front crankshaft seal and camshaft seals at the same time? Is there any other area down there that is prone to leakage that I may not be seeing?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

Post by **chrism** » 15 Mar 2015, 21:07

"...What I have noticed is a whistling noise that goes away when I pull the dipstick out,..."

Likely the diaphragm on top of the oil separator box is gunked up inside which causes the crankcase to be exposed to full intake vacuum. The whistling is caused by air being sucked in through the engine seals. Pulling the dipstick out or opening the oil filler cap relieves the excess vacuum. You have to replace the oils separator box as the diaphragm is integral to it.

Post by **vtl** » 16 Mar 2015, 10:40

2002 V70 N/A PCV did last May:

Did it because it was sucking bad in camshaft space on higher revs. I.e. when I drove it hardly, I saw oil leak around camshaft cover seal area.

cyberwolf · Post by **cyberwolf** » 16 Mar 2015, 11:31

Vtl, did the leak stop after you did the PCV, or did you do the seals then, too?

Thanks for the replies.

Post by **vtl** » 16 Mar 2015, 11:37

No leak after replacement. This was not a roundish camshaft seal, but a chemical gasket between head and a cover. Leaking camshaft seals have to be replaced of course.