Vvt Oil leak, block off?

[cn90]

- Ebay may have some used VVT hubs, make sure you buy a hub with low mileage such as < 100K.

- New VVT hub about $250.

- Cam seals: Volvo or Corteco only.

- Consider TB kit (TB + 2 pulleys, Volvo parts or Conti only).

- Search for the post on how to replace cam seals, a bit tricky on the VVT engine.
We discussed the anatomy in the thread below:

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-xc9 ... ded-81251/

[0x00]

I have seen the VVT modulator wear and develop axial play and barely engage the oil seal in the head. Others report the modulating pulley itself can leak (some had some mini plungers with failing o-rings?) I put the seal out as far as practicable in the head to try to get some engagement and told the customer it might leak, live with it until you decide to buy the expensive variable pulley assy. It has been fine for years....if it leaks, it is not much. I'll be revisiting soon as the water pump is leaking on her car. Like most things on these cars, it was poorly designed (inadequate seal engagement, fail to design assembly to not develop axial play (thrust bearings/washers inadequate, inop or not fitted), nearly (actually?) impossible to fit a sleeve to extend seal surface, o-rings on plungers that aren't actually used and so on).

[vtl]

I replaced the newer, Ford-style VVT hub on now sold wife's XC60 with T12 engine by 45k miles (grinding sounds). Upon disassembly it appeared to me it was designed to fail. Contrary, T2 intake hub started leaking at well over 220k miles. I replaced it, but the old unit is rebuildable (needs a new washer).