All,
So i have a 99 S70 Turbo and I was wondering if there is a known issue with the front cam seals becoming loose and popping out I have cleaned my PVC system which was little clogged but not stopped up all the way and my dipstick never popped out but i was seeing white smoke come out, after cleaning out the PVC system that went away and i have only owned this car for about 5 months but the previous owner just had the timing belt replaced about 50k ago. total mileage 190k.

 

LOL, you are funny. Welcome to the forum Austin Guy.

Any car with 200,000 is subject to cam seal issues. Really not a big deal but for the front cam seals you will have to have the timing belt removed. So have the belt replaced since it will be off. Give you another 100k. :P

Clogged PCV systems are the main cause of these seals blowing out. Over time they get old, hard, and can fall out when under pressure. I blew 2 out at one time. Here is the thread I wrote to do the rear. To do the front all you have to do is take the timing belt off, take the cam sprocket off, then pull the seal out and install a new one. There are write-ups for the job in places. If you do the job yourself DO MAKE A LOT OF GOOD MARKS on the cam shaft and sprocket (in the center) to make sure you install the sprocket correctly/aligned.
Cam Seal Replacement, rear, 1998 Volvo S70 GLT - Volvo 850 Cam Seal Replacement

 

Found my forward cam seal write up. Not sure why it wasn't linked on my site properly.
Cam Seals, Front Replacement, 1998 Volvo S70 GLT - Volvo 850 Cam Seal Replacement

 

RSPI,

Thanks for the warm welcome!! funny you should mention the real cam seal, as I was going to replace those this weekend as well per your guide. I found a place called AUSTIN VOL-TECH SERVICES and they have pretty good reviews. I think i am going have them takle the front cam seals as i do not have the lockers for the cam and honstly i really do not want to tackle this and mess up!!. I think i will have them replace the belt as well. I found a website called FCPEuro were i can order parts pretty cheaply and i am going to replace all the turbo Oil lines and Turbo vacuum hoses as well as all of the turbo cooler line. any suggestion on ordering inexpensive OEM parts ??

 

FCP and www.iPdUSA.com both can help you get OEM parts. There is a stealer in the RI area that sells OEM parts at a good price. I think they are called Tucan or something like that. You can search that name or OEM parts and see what you come up with.

As you can see from my write-ups I didn't have any special cam tools or anything when I did ours. I just maked the heck out of things and wished for the best. Turned out good, the car runs. Really not hard you just have to pay attention to what you're doing. Your t-blet replacement is a little different so if you incorporate those instructions with mine you should be fine.

 

rspi,

So i get a call from the shop today telling me that the PVC system is all plugged up which i was very puzzled because i just cleaned out the whole PVC system. So they say it's going to cost 552.00 with parts and labor all new hoses and breather box. so i say NOOOOOOO just fix the cam seals 500.00 after tax!!... so anyways i go their and pick up the car no more oil leak hurray! and the guy ask me did you clean out the bango bolt on the intake.. and i am thinking noooo because their is none so he shows me the new hose and sure enough mine was broken at the bango just a very cracked rubber hose that i replaced when i clean it out the first time. I went back to work with the car then went home at 8:30 PM and said well i do not want the cam seal to blow out again so instead of ripping off the intake i took the power steering pump and alternator off an sure enough i could get to the bango bolt so i take it off and man oh man was it plugged up i had to take a nail and a pair of pliers to get the clog unclogged as my air compressor would not unclog at 120 PSI. moral of the story is the first time you rip off you intake and clean your PVC system make sure you undo anything that is attached to it and clean it or you will have to waste another 2 hours.... also folks if you live in Austin Tx or near and have a volvo an you do not want to take it to a dealer i highly recommend AUSTIN VOL-TECH SERVICES AUSTIN VOL-TECH SERVICES INC. they are 90$ an hour but they have all the parts in stock for just about anything you need also they have a VOLVO bone yard in the back which is pretty impressive by it's self.

 

I made a "cam gear holding tool" that I used to "hold the sprocket(s) in place" while I removed the center bolt in preparation to replace the cam seals. I have attached the pictures of the tool. It worked great when removing (loosening) and replacing (tightening) the sprocket. I made it out of aluminum (1/8" thick x 1" wide) stock and 3 bolts.

 

I put pictures of the "sprocket Holding tool" on the photobucket link below.

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

 

Cool, thanks.

 

I'd say while you got that timing belt off, go ahead and do your water pump

 

I seen a write-up somewhere of a guy replacing his cam seals without removing his timing belt. He clamped his belt on one cam sprocket, then removed the other sprocket with the belt on, and changed the seal and put the sprocket back on and did the other one the same way. SMH

 

When my seals blew, my belt was saturated in oil, had no choice but to replace it for the second time in 30k miles.

 

Better late then never!!,, But they replaced the front and back cam seals 700.00$.. I will do the job next time my self. Since then I have had to replace all my turbo hoses due to well being old and many miles and a couple of holes!!..and the actuator valve I have also replaced the front sturts....FYI...Buy the ones that are already pre-bulilt only cost 35$ more and saves you a bunch of time and pain.. I also put new tires on the car.. My CV axels are starting to clack...errrrr...need to replace those next paycheck!!.. But i tell you what for only paying 1,500.00 for the car and now 3 years later i think i made out pretty well!!.. Car now has 220,000 on it..