96 854 NA Oil Leak, dripping from filter area

[eriscentro]

Hey guys, back again. I decided to take another look at the leak today. The engine doesn't appear to have leaked a ton of oil, but after removing the timing belt cover, I think I found the cause. There appears to be oil around the rear cam seal, which seems to have dripped down. I'm almost certain that my mechanic changed them when he did the belt ~9K miles ago (probably two years). What's it look like to you?
Note: I had wiped down the subframe to the left of the filter before taking the picture. It wasn't as 'dry' as shown.

[eriscentro]

Also note, PCV was done a few thousand miles ago, before I noticed a leak.

[dosbricks]

As you say, it looks like you have a worsening exhaust cam front seal leak. Even if the seal was replaced by your mechanic, if it was not a genuine Volvo seal, it may have failed in a couple of years. The real danger is if the leak gets bad enough that oil starts fouling the timing belt and causing it not to track correctly. Jumped timing is curtains.

[eriscentro]

Just found the receipt from the work. The timing belt was changed in march of 2014. It says "timing belt kit," so he probably didn't do the seal. The leak didn't seem massive, thankfully. I've heard much about timing issues, and if there were any related issues, that'd be game over.

[eriscentro]

Quick update on this. I pulled the spark plug cover today and found a lot of oil on the top of the block. I cleaned it all up, and would like to get a new gasket ASAP for the cap. Unfortunately, no auto parts store has them in stock, so I'll try purchase a new cap (only a few dollars more). Not OEM though.
Edit: Got the new cap. It's manufactured by Stant. I pulled the gasket off the old cap, and although it wasn't cracked, it certainly was far harder than the new one. I'll see what happens over the upcoming weeks.