My 99 V70 (260K miles) is leaking engine oil near the flywheel housing.
Is there any good way to determine if it is the rear main seal or oil pan seal?
If it is the rear main seal, do I need to pull the engine (out the top, no lift, only cherry picker) or just lower to snake tranny out from the bottom?
If I pull the engine, I'll be replacing timing belt (and t-belt pulleys, water pump & crank seal) as well as rear main seal and clutch, bottom engine torque mount and sub frame bushings, exhaust header and cat. converter (previous owner had a hack job done on the exhaust flex joint).
Also, looking for a comprehensive set of instructions for this job.

I am an experienced DIY as I removed engine cradle from my 940 to do lots of front end and oil pan work. Doing my own work has saved me a ton of scratch, so I can afford a better, safer ride for my teens. Thanks in advance for any and all pointers on this.

 

Most likely is your rear main seal.
You should add the servicing of your PCV system to your list of items to do as blocked or clogging PCV's are often the cause of camshaft,crankshaft and rear main seal failures.

 

Thanks, that is what I suspected.
Do i need to pull the engine to get at it?
PCV was completely replaced last year as the ventilation systems stunk horribly when ever the car was running. It was easier than I thought and the smell went away. So this probably a follow on casualty. I bought the car used with 245K, now has 275K and I bought it knowing I would be replacing parts along the way.
If I pull the engine, it will get new timing belt, H2O pump, tensioner and idler bearings, front crank seal, trans axle seals, rear crank seal, clutch and flywheel resurface and exhaust manifold and cat converter. Someone welded a knock off flex joint in and the cat has a rust hole in it at the front end. I didn't think it was too bad of a deal for an $1800 car. Still better than a car payment and I like being a DIYer.