Oil leak behind timing cover - 2007 XC70 170k miles

[mtd240]

Hi all,

I've had an oil leak on the front of the engine (timing belt side) for quite some time now. It's very slow, but I'd rather not risk a timing belt slip/snap. I'm having a hard time determining what is causing it. I've attached some pictures but I'm not sure they're all that helpful. The back of the intake CVVT gear looks suspicious -- I hope it's not that ($$$).

Any advice on how to identify this leak before I start taking stuff off? I need this car on weekdays, so I can't have it apart for long. I'm thinking of grabbing two cam seals, a crank seal, an oil pump seal/gasket kit, and a timing belt kit, and returning whatever seals I don't end up using. I probably need a new timing cover too -- it's been soaking in that oil leak for so long that it is turning into rubber

Couple notes:
Timing belt job (belt, tensioner, idler) and PCV system rebuild at 102k
Timing belt replaced (again) when I did the exhaust CVVT gear at 133.5k
Water pump: never done

Happy to answer any additional questions or take more pictures if there is somewhere I should be looking as a clear indicator of a specific leak source. Thanks for any and all help, as always.

(sorry for the pictures being upside down -- they are right side up when I open them on my computer!)

[timetobakethedonuts]

I can't tell from the pictures what is causing it. What I do recognize is your TB cover looks like mine did when my CVVT failed. One of them failed, and my Indy mechanic suggested changing both, which we did. I took the car to my Indy, and he did the diagnosis by eye that it was the CVVT. Good luck.

[Krons]

I think it is smart to change the cam seals proactively when doing the timing belt in the 200k mile range.

For sure do the water pump too. Kids 02 S60 water pump bearing went last summer at 190k and nearly lost the timing belt.

[mtd240]

I can't tell from the pictures what is causing it. What I do recognize is your TB cover looks like mine did when my CVVT failed. One of them failed, and my Indy mechanic suggested changing both, which we did. I took the car to my Indy, and he did the diagnosis by eye that it was the CVVT. Good luck.

Ah. I honestly can’t remember how well I cleaned up the timing cover when I replaced the exhaust CVVT unit. I assume it wouldn’t be damp on the back if it was good - the exhaust side (that I replaced) is dry on the back.

[jonesg]

that hardly looks like a leak, mine was dripping on the floor and the back of the vvt hubs were wet.

[mtd240]

Maybe I ought to get a can of brake cleaner and go back in to clean it all up during the kids’ nap today. Could be that my 2018 self half-assed the cleaning when I did that VVT hub. Definitely no oil dripping on the ground, so if it’s a current leak it’s a seep.

[jonesg]

and that plastic cover will clean up nicely with some brake cleaner spray.

[cn90]

The CRANK seal rarely leaks before 200K miles.
Plus, you can always do this later.

Best is to replace Cam Seals x 2, VVT Hub (Exhaust side only), timing belt, WP.

I wrote a detail DIY cam seals in this forum.

[mtd240]

The CRANK seal rarely leaks before 200K miles.
Plus, you can always do this later.

Best is to replace Cam Seals x 2, VVT Hub (Exhaust side only), timing belt, WP.

I wrote a detail DIY cam seals in this forum.

Thanks, I used your DIY last time I did this on a 5-cyl. Have VIDA now too

Did you mean “intake” VVT hub only? I assume you don’t think I need to replace the exhaust one again.

[cn90]

Sorry, missed your post saying you already replaced the Exhaust VVT.

Cam seals: brand matters, what brand did you use?
FYI: Corteco is the genuine mfg.
I use Corteco, zero issues.

The Intake VVT: check the play.

PS: When was the last time you checked the PCV system?