Timing side (front side) engine oil leak

arrrxivvv · Post by **arrrxivvv** » 26 Jul 2024, 21:19

Ever since I purchased this 2004 XC70, 4 years and 20,000 miles later, I'm still having an oil leak in the timing side of the car (front of the engine),

after replacing many parts for separate reasons the oil leak is still present, neither improved nor worsen, at:
bottom of timing cover, engine mount near crank pulley and the subframe it mounts to, oil cooler.
No oil present to the left of oil cooler, nor on either of the CV boots.

I do lose some oil, maybe 0.5~1 qt every oil change (5000 miles). No dripping down the floor yet.

Parts changed (sometimes for other reasons):

both front VVTs and cam seals (timing belt was completely dry),

oil pump (by a shop, crank seal would've been replaced together?),

PCV and oil pan reseal,

oil filler cap gasket every two or three oil changes ()

anything else I'm missing? Or possible repair not performed correctly?

No obvious symptoms in drivability, smoking, check engine codes etc.

Post by **jonesg** » 27 Jul 2024, 06:34

get under there with a good light, is the bottom of the oil pan wet, it can be the $6 O ring seal on the bottom of the dipstick tube, I just changed mine yesterday, oil was running down and getting blown back across the pan, then dripping .
If I didn't have new concrete I wouldn't care.

arrrxivvv · Post by **arrrxivvv** » 28 Jul 2024, 00:21

jonesg wrote: ↑27 Jul 2024, 06:34 get under there with a good light, is the bottom of the oil pan wet, it can be the $6 O ring seal on the bottom of the dipstick tube, I just changed mine yesterday, oil was running down and getting blown back across the pan, then dripping .
If I didn't have new concrete I wouldn't care.

Thanks, I'll check that, though I think that o-ring was replaced in the previous PCV job.

SOURDOUGHJIM · Post by **SOURDOUGHJIM** » 28 Jul 2024, 08:34

Sounds like the leak I had. Is the oil green? If so, it's power steering oil. I had both hose connections bad at the pump. I replaced the supply hose from the reservoir and I had a bad o-ring on the pressure line. $.33 at RockAuto. #969092.

lrock · Post by **lrock** » 29 Jul 2024, 15:18

You can also check with a blacklight to rule out compressor oil, it has a uv reactive tracer dye in it.

arrrxivvv · Post by **arrrxivvv** » 29 Jul 2024, 18:17

Thanks for the suggestions from everyone.

Well I checked under the engine cover and there's oil on the top of the engine again.

Perhaps the oil filler cap leaked again, or maybe the cap itself is somehow loose?

I've put on the IPD Viton gasket (previously used the cheapest option on FCP) and cleaned the oil near the ignition coils.

Will drive the car for a few days and observe.

Post by **jonesg** » 30 Jul 2024, 02:18

this is the first time you mention the top of the engine.

does it pass the glove test ?

arrrxivvv · Post by **arrrxivvv** » 30 Jul 2024, 17:29

jonesg wrote: ↑30 Jul 2024, 02:18 this is the first time you mention the top of the engine.

does it pass the glove test ?

Yes, it passed the glove test both before and after the PCV system replacement 4 years ago, and passed a few days ago as well.

Raymondh15 · Post by **Raymondh15** » 01 Aug 2024, 20:14

I have a major oil leak timing side. I replaced cam shaft seal. And oil pump gasket. Water pump, pulley new belts. Still leaks a crazy amount. Are there gaskets behind the 2 cams? Its leaking above oil pump but cams dont look like they are leajing so i wondering if there are gaskets behind those cams that are coming down and out somehow.. any help would be appreciated...side note. The reason we did this was same oil we thought qas cam shaft seal. Discovered the oil pump gasket was burnt and brittle. Im wondering if theres an oil pressure issue blowing oil pump gasket...but then again you can see it drip onto the oil pump from above...thank you

arrrxivvv · Post by **arrrxivvv** » 03 Aug 2024, 09:35

I'm not an expert, but perhaps use the glove test to check crankcase pressure, and the VVT hub could also leak.

Raymondh15 wrote: ↑01 Aug 2024, 20:14 I have a major oil leak timing side. I replaced cam shaft seal. And oil pump gasket. Water pump, pulley new belts. Still leaks a crazy amount. Are there gaskets behind the 2 cams? Its leaking above oil pump but cams dont look like they are leajing so i wondering if there are gaskets behind those cams that are coming down and out somehow.. any help would be appreciated...side note. The reason we did this was same oil we thought qas cam shaft seal. Discovered the oil pump gasket was burnt and brittle. Im wondering if theres an oil pressure issue blowing oil pump gasket...but then again you can see it drip onto the oil pump from above...thank you