2002 V70XC No rear cam seal (intake)

[jasonmartinau]

So about 6 months ago I bought my first volvo. A 2002 V70XC. I love it, it's great, until a few weeks ago it just started spewing oil everywhere. After carefully isolating the leak (using UV dye) to the front exhaust cam seal, I decided to replace the PCV system and then the leaky seals. timing belt / water pump while I was at it.

Anywho...

Pulled the end cap off of the intake rear cam seal and there is NO SEAL PRESENT. Not deteriorated, loose, leaky, just NOT THERE. Oddly enough, while there's a nice "puddle" behind the end cap, there really isnt' a substantial leak from this area. Certainly nothing that escaped the end cap and visible without removing it. Finally got to the exhaust side and this seal was present and in pretty good shape.

What is happening in this car? How could I have a sudden, catastrophic oil leak from the front exhaust oil seal when the entire time there wasn't even a rear intake seal present?

Thanks!!!
JM

[vtl]

You have one VVT pulley, on the exhaust. Intake does not have it, thus no rear cam seal, just the plug.

[jasonmartinau]

ok. That's a relief. I have one thinking it would be a replacement, would it hurt to install it? Totally unnecessary? Harmful? And I'm a newbie to this level of working on engines so I'm curious... I assume that the oil in this area is under pressure just like in the exhaust side, so why is no seal necessary here? Is the plug that I removed meant to serve that purpose?

If so, does anyone have any pointers on the proper way to install said plug to ensure it doesn't leak?

[vtl]

Yes, plug is what keeps oil inside. Expensive seal is not needed here, because nothing is attached to camshaft.

Similar to that: http://workshop-manuals.com/volvo/xc90_ ... end_plugs/