Found oil leaking from exhaust cam seal and VVT unit o-ring. Got new seal from local dealer but no o-ring; instead, they want to sell me the whole gear-VVT unit for $187 plus tax. Is there a way to get a replacement o-ring by itself?

 

I have never seen just the o-ring leak. The pulleys them selves usually leak.

 

There is nothing wrong that I can see with the cam gear or the VVT unit. However, the internal o-ring has hardened and it's no longer sealing the shaft.
I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and buy the gear-VVT unit. Ouch!

 

If you look really closely in the center part of it there is a plunger that presses up against the gear. They usually leak at the plunger.

 

Got new gear/VVT as well as new front and rear cam seals - for good measure, I'm also replacing the timing belt combo package.
Will post the results once I get it done.

 

What's a timing belt combo package? Sounds like the newer model S40 but just wondering if this is the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump that my 2001 might need?

 

Sounds like a older one as I just did this on a car, and had it all back together and that VVT was leaking like nobodys business.

I hope you have the tools to do the seals.

 

Replaced the exhaust cam gear with the vvt, then realized I don't have the tool to hold the cams in place. Anyone has a spare they want to sell?

 

Nothing a small C clamp can't handle. You are talking about when you put the timing belt back on? Or are you talking about having to torque some bolts down and need to hold the cam from turning without damage?

 

I was referring to the cam alignment/locker tool 999 5452. But that's OK, I bit the bullet once again and ordered one on line for $219.00 plus shipping. It's scheduled to get here by Friday or Saturday.
I'll post the outcome once I have everything back together. Wish me luck!

 

Success! It's been a few weeks and more than a thousand miles since I put it all back together and there are no leaks - other than the big one in my pocket...

 

Congrats!

 

Good job on the troubleshooting. I had the excact same instance happen with my 05 xc90 2.5t. I could tell something was wrong with the VVT because when I pushed on the intake it was sturdy but when I pushed and pulled on the exhaust it moved in and out. I was able to find a person selling the o-ring on ebay by just searching for "volvo vvt o-ring". There are hard to find and it only cost $15 with shipping. To know if it will fit your VVT look for the numbers stamped on top of the gear. The rings I bought came with the inner ring and outer plug ring. What a great price.