Problems with oil leaking near rear cam seal

svendyensen · Post by **svendyensen** » 02 Apr 2009, 11:27

Hello All,
I have a 1998 Volvo V70 non turbo with almost 230,000 miles on it. I am having an issue with an oil leak near the rear cam seal on the drivers side of the car. Recently (3k miles ago) I replaced the whole PCV system, Timing Belt, Water pump (it was leaking) and driver side cam seal (oil was leaking), which is under the cam position sensor. Now and for the past 1k miles, oil has been leaking from around the rear cam seal area again. I'm not sure what the problem is and am wondering what else in that general area would be leaking oil. Also, would it be possible to have oil leaking through the seal that runs around the top of the engine? (don't know what it's called). After driving home from work (18 miles) and leaving the car overnight, there is an approx 6-8" puddle of oil on the ground and it seems to be getting worse. The oil also sometimes drips or gets pushed by air onto the exhaust manifold (or that area, not exactly sure where it is coming in contact with the hot surface, as it's hard to see) and burns and smells aweful. Any ideas? Let me know if you have questions and I will clarify. Thanks!

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 02 Apr 2009, 12:32

That seems like an awful lot of oil for a cam seal leak. You also might have a rear main seal leak which would not be unusual at 230K. Of course, you have two cam seals in the rear of the engine, the other is under the distributor. You could conceivably be leaking on all three rear seals.

Where exactly are you seeing the oil?

svendyensen · Post by **svendyensen** » 02 Apr 2009, 12:44

Hey Calvin,
It all seems to be coming from the rear right corner of the engine; the corner closest to the drivers side. Can you tell me where I could definitely tell if it's a RMS leak? Isn't the RMS the joint between the transmission and the engine?

I am going to clean it off again, maybe tonight and see if I can get a better idea of exactly where it is coming from, but I have looked and it seems like there is oil running down from the bottom of the cam position sensor cover. Thanks!

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 02 Apr 2009, 12:55

There is a weep hole between the bell housing and the engine where the rear main seal leaks. In my 98 S70, the oil runs straight back from there and fouls up that entire bottom corner of the engine.

I had trouble finding the weep hole and MIJ posted a picture of it for me a few months ago. I'll see if I can find it and post the link.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 02 Apr 2009, 13:02

MIJ posted a picture of the weep hole in this thread.....

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=16295

Let us know what you find after you clean it up tonight.