Engine Oil Leak - 2001 V70XC

Abbagonebad · Post by **Abbagonebad** » 25 May 2024, 02:38

Can someone please help. 2001 V70XC
Engine oil leak, not the usual suspects. not pcv or cam seals front or rear, not cam sensor. it is leaking at rear of engine from where the transfer meets the transmission. Thats where it becomes most evident. If I clean down engine and drive it, it will in no time at all become evident at this place. At the bottom of the transfer at the mounting bolts. Its like a leaking transfer shaft seal, but it would have long run out of oil, it is actual engine oil.
It perhaps coming from above the transfer and coming down to the the sides of the transfer, but of course because the engine is east west and the transfer is in the way, it is very very difficult to see exactly where it is coming from. I am stumped. please help.

Abbagonebad · Post by **Abbagonebad** » 25 May 2024, 02:40

Sorry forgot to mention, it is not any turbo return lines or oil feeds either

Post by **abscate** » 25 May 2024, 05:12

It sounds like rear main seal of the engine is leaking. The engine amd transmission have to come out and get split to do this job

Abbagonebad · Post by **Abbagonebad** » 25 May 2024, 07:53

Hi, it's not rear main either because no oil is coming from the bottom weep hole in the bellhousing

Post by **jonesg** » 25 May 2024, 08:00

abscate wrote: ↑25 May 2024, 05:12 It sounds like rear main seal of the engine is leaking. The engine amd transmission have to come out and get split to do this job

suspend the engine with a hanger cross bar from HF. $79 or $60 amazon (vevor)
drop the subframe onto milk crates and drag it out of the way.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-c ... lmEALw_wcB

then follow this video.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 25 May 2024, 13:58

I had a power steering fluid leak in that area. Perhaps the fluid is dripping from above somewhere. Is the engine oil or power steering level dropping?

Abbagonebad · Post by **Abbagonebad** » 26 May 2024, 02:20

No it's not power steer, it's engine oil. Have since found hose from back of engine to pcv aluminium pipe assy, just near the rear of exhaust cam sensor. has leak at engine connection, oil is dropping from there and finds it way down rear of block the onto to bottom of transfer and gear box housing because it also tracks along block to gearbox junction.looks like a RMS leak but it is dry inside weep hole at bellhousing. So I still don't believe it is a RMS leak. Once I eliminate the pcv hose to rear of block leak, then I will do process of elimination by stopping that source and see if it still leaks. thanks for interest thus far to all. Will report back a bit later. Mark

Abbagonebad · Post by **Abbagonebad** » 01 Jun 2024, 16:51

Ok got to the bottom of this one. Yes it is rear exhaust cam seal. It tracks down and finds its way to the bottom of transfer to transmission area. It leaks from cam seal, then from cam sensor via the weep hole as it is designed, then down to rear of engine block, pcv hose area and coolant pipe hose area. Because it is all covered up with top engine mount assy at top and transfer box at bottom, you cannot see it leaking except in the areas mentioned. You can place your finger at the cam sensor at the back rear of the rear cam cover housing and if you feel it all wet with engine oil, this is most likely the culprit. I have seen this leak misdiagnosed for RMS on YouTube's and other forums because it presents very much like that underneath the car. However if the weep hole in the bellhousing is dry than it cannot be RMS. it's all about familiarity of design and vehicle. Now I am familiar it all becomes clearer. Hope this info helps someone who will no doubt come across the same issue I was stumped with on this vehicle.