Front Camshaft Oil Leak

quaverous · Post by **quaverous** » 04 Jun 2013, 21:34

I am slowly taking my 2006 S40 Turbo apart to replace a leaky front intake cam seal. Looking through the forums, it has been tough to find step-by-step instructions for replacing 2004+ S40 cam seals and I need some help. Currently, I have the rear of the cams locked into position and about to remove the cam gears.

1. From other threads it appears that cam gears can be stubborn. Is the locking tool (I have the full kit in the red case) enough to get the gears off without stripping the slots? What about reattaching the gears with 120 Nm?

2. When I pulled out the rear cam plugs, I didn't see oil seals. Does the 2006 S40 have rear seals inside the plugs? Just curious as I thought I'd replace them while I have stuff apart.

3. Any special tools for removing the front cam seal and installing a new seal? There have been mixed responses in various threads but nothing specific to an 06 S40.

4. Left field question: if the front cam seal is not the problem, which means the cvt gear is the culprit, do I need an entire new gear or just new rings?

Thank you in advance!

Post by **xHeart** » 05 Jun 2013, 08:17

quaverous wrote:I am slowly taking my 2006 S40 Turbo apart to replace a leaky front intake cam seal. Looking through the forums, it has been tough to find step-by-step instructions for replacing 2004+ S40 cam seals and I need some help. Currently, I have the rear of the cams locked into position and about to remove the cam gears.

1. From other threads it appears that cam gears can be stubborn. Is the locking tool (I have the full kit in the red case) enough to get the gears off without stripping the slots? What about reattaching the gears with 120 Nm?

2. When I pulled out the rear cam plugs, I didn't see oil seals. Does the 2006 S40 have rear seals inside the plugs? Just curious as I thought I'd replace them while I have stuff apart.

3. Any special tools for removing the front cam seal and installing a new seal? There have been mixed responses in various threads but nothing specific to an 06 S40.

4. Left field question: if the front cam seal is not the problem, which means the cvt gear is the culprit, do I need an entire new gear or just new rings?

Thank you in advance!

This post is relevant, and may have answers for some if not all https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53722

Post by **JDS60R** » 05 Jun 2013, 10:23

Now I know why you couldn't find it.

I do not know the structural integrity of the tool you mentioned. Please report back on how it worked.

quaverous · Post by **quaverous** » 06 Jun 2013, 19:34

Thanks guys for the links and PDFs. It is all very useful.

I now have the gear off to find the leak. Problem is that I don't know which (seal vs gear) is causing the problem. The seal looks good.

I know the leak is coming from seal/gear because oil fans out from below it, covering the timing belt and timing tensioner. I posted pictures up to see if anyone can spot the issue.

Here is the cam seal:

and here is the cam gear:

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Post by **JDS60R** » 06 Jun 2013, 19:44

replace the seal ($4 victor reinz from rockauto), clean the VVT and run it . I am bothered by the seal being dry 360 degrees around. Makes me think its the VVT but I can't see the surface the seal rides on in your pictures yet so its not time to judge.

Make sure the VVT is completely clean on the seal surface. ( no residue etc)

quaverous · Post by **quaverous** » 07 Jun 2013, 07:52

I was surprised the seal looked as clean as it did when I pulled the gear off.

The surface where the seal rides has a film of oil and looked smooth. I'll take another look at it tonight and look for any blemishes.

Post by **JDS60R** » 07 Jun 2013, 10:28

gently remove tarnish with acetone and red scotchbrite (fine metal grade in the direction it spins not in towards the engine- around the circle)