1999 V70 GLT Engine constant oil leak driver side rear

goldmandan · Post by **goldmandan** » 02 Nov 2015, 15:52

I picked up a 188k mile V70 GLT that is in very good mechanical condition other than a crazy constant engine oil leak that is on the rear driver side of the engine. It seems it may be a rear main seal. How common are the 2.4 engines for rear main seal leaks as I've had a few of these (s70, c70 and v70s with 2.4 engines) and never had any rear main leaks...... I have not tried the balloon on the dipstick test yet. The leak is the same with engine running and when it is just turned off. I took it to my local mechanic that does work I don't feel like doing........ like oil changes..... so he told me the valve cover was leaking. After running my hand along the very shallow cam cover..... no oil there....... then I thought maybe oil cooler....... no, dry there also and above it was dry........... the driver side, where the transmission bolts onto the engine is saturated with oil and it's leaking constantly from the rear of the engine...... are there any hoses coming from the turbo that can leak? Other things to look for?? This oil leak is draining about 1 qt of oil after about a 100 mile drive....... it's going to eat me up if I have to buy a quart every 100 miles at $6/qt! Any help would be very appreciated!!

Post by **FLXC90** » 02 Nov 2015, 16:00

Oil on the rear corner at number 5 cylinder is probably a cam seal. Look for trail starting at the engine brace on the corner of the head. Rear main seal leaks are usually evidenced by a drip from the weep hole on the bottom of the bellhousing between engine and transaxle. Yes, the turbo has oil supply and return lines, but they are behind the engine. Clean it all the best you can, then look with a strong flashlight and a mirror; and as always, let us know what you find

Post by **RussB** » 02 Nov 2015, 16:44

Clean, or have the engine steam cleaned. Adding UV dye to the oil, and searching with an infrared light will pin point the leak

ferocity02 · Post by **ferocity02** » 02 Nov 2015, 16:53

I had a similar oil leak, it was from the rear exhaust cam seal that popped out, I think from excessive crankcase pressure due to a blocked PCV system. It was very hard to see, had to remove some things to be able to witness it pouring out of the rear cam cover. It would only leak while running however.

goldmandan · Post by **goldmandan** » 02 Nov 2015, 17:48

good idea to remove the engine mount and brace to see what is behind there. If it's all oily then yes it's what the shop originally said "valve cover" as it's in that general area. And if it's the rear cam seal it should not be too bad and the cam cover will need to be sealed also so this should stop the leaking for good....... the leak does not seem to come from the center of the transmission to engine mounting (weep hole) so I may be in luck...... PCV system better have been serviced by now with 188 on the clock! I will go in with my flexible camera to see if the flame trap has been changed previously. will let you guys know what I find out

goldmandan · Post by **goldmandan** » 02 Nov 2015, 20:34

ok, just got home and went to it right away. I got the cam sensor cover off and lo and behold......oil inside there where it should be dry! Also, the seal was loose, not out completely but it was real easy to take it off. Question is this........... if i get a new seal and install it......... I will need to run the car at idle and see if it passes the balloon test. If it doesn't can I disconnect the hose that goes into the valve cover so that it releases the pressure built up in the engine? Or disconnect something else in the meantime. All i want is to not have any oil leaking for now till i figure out what to do next.........

Post by **cn90** » 02 Nov 2015, 20:49

All the trick is in the link below for my 1998 S70.
Best is to use Corteco seal (about $8-$10 online).
1999 is a bit different...

1998 v70 rear cam seals

Post by **erikv11** » 03 Nov 2015, 00:38

To answer your question goldmandan: pull the dipstick just a smidge.

What people usually do the stop the oil from leaking in the meantime, is to pull the dipstick up just until the o-ring that seals the top is up out of the tube. Then crankcase gases vent out the dipstick tube, and not blow the seals.

goldmandan · Post by **goldmandan** » 04 Nov 2015, 15:40

Thanks a million guys! just as some of you mentioned. The cam seal on the exhaust was the culprit! I replaced it with a new seal and put it all together. Once engine was started I put the balloon on the dipstick and it barely put air inside the balloon so I think i'm good. I've driven the car for 2 days straight now without any repeated oil leaking. THANKS a lot again! I love coming to this forum as there's always someone giving a short cut to the source of the problem instead of speculating and making a lot of expensive parts changing mistakes! Now onto my A/C question.............. I will post that in a new thread