04 C70 VVT Oil Seal Leak

Post by **cuhfs** » 09 Sep 2015, 05:52

I have what I think is a VVT exhaust cam seal oil leak after I redid the head and installed the cam cover. I installed the VVT front Exhaust seal (in timing belt area) so the outside edge is just at the point there the inside beveled edge of the cam shaft gets flat. Pushed in about the same as the back seals which are fine. Again, seal is pushed in just at the inside of bevel. First I had a major leak there and found the seal was off after cam cover install. Now I have a small leak still in the timing belt area and I think it is still from the exhaust VVT Seal. Seemed like I had installed it correctly 2nd time but still leaking. Any tips would be great.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Sep 2015, 08:19

The thread below may be helpful for you. Read the posts by jordank:

http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-xc90 ... 251/page2/

Post by **cuhfs** » 09 Sep 2015, 08:30

Many thanks. Yes I saw that link and it appears that the seal goes just at the inside bevel. So That's where I put mine too. Not sure why I have a leak still in there. Gonna have to take that vvt exhaust cam gear off again. Any other thoughts or ides are welcome as I hate to do this a third time.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Sep 2015, 12:32

Maybe you need a new VVT because of the lateral (axial) play in the old VVT unit.
How many miles in your car?

Post by **cuhfs** » 09 Sep 2015, 12:56

about 120K. long story is... I had the bent valves and head redone due to a busted serpentine belt that wrapped around the crankshaft which caused it to skip time (but thats another story....) anyway, Putting it back together now and am dealing with the small leak. First leak was big and was due to my not checking the seal when I closed the cam cover. so I when back in and put new seals in correctly, this has left me with a small leak. I see oil puddling in the timing belt area and some white smoke off the back of engine (which I hope is from these leak. I will go back in again and check the exhaust VVT seal and hope that maybe the edge rolled or something causing a small oil leak.

I welcome any suggestions, tips, thoughts... hopefully the third time is a charm.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Sep 2015, 21:29

What brand of seal did you use? The wise guys here will tell you brand is very critical for these parts. If you have used one of the recommended brands, then perhaps there is a rough edge where the seal goes in that is nicking the seal. I had to redo the oil cooler seals after the dealer mechanic failed twice to stop it leaking. I went out and bought new oil cooler pipes as I was told that was the only way to sure it. Found there was a rough edge and the seal was getting cut when fitting. Removed it an all was well. Pipes went back!

Neil.

Post by **cuhfs** » 10 Sep 2015, 10:10

I only use Volvo Brand. Except for once... when I used another brand of Serpentine Belt. Yuk.

I will check that the surface is smooth, thanks for the advice.

Post by **cuhfs** » 14 Sep 2015, 12:30

Needed to reset the seal. All good.