Chasing mysterious Oil Leak BELOW Timing Belt area.

- Car is 1998 V70 is now 105K miles and runs fine, no problems at all.
- TB and Hydraulic Tensioner changed in 2004 at 60K using Contitech TB and OEM hydraulic tensioner (Pulleys x 2 not changed at 60K).
- I just removed the TB cover for an inspection and saw minor (maybe a few drops of oil) in the area just below the hydraulic tensioner area as shown. It may or may not be important so I need advices from the pros!

- I used a mirror and flash light and observe that:
1. Hydraulic Tensioner: bone dry, no evidence of leak, even with my hand sweeping around it.
2. Areas BELOW Cam seals and Crank seal are bone dry!
3. Minor oil on the INNER CV Boot (which is directly below and behind the TB area)
4. Water Pump: Bone dry.
5. TB is nice and tight and no grease coming from the 2 pulleys at all.

Three months ago, I saw this minor oil leak and spray-cleaned it and now it re-appears!!! I am puzzled as to the source of this oil leak. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Is the back of the motor all dry?

 

YES, the back of motor (near firewall) is bone dry.
Any ideas?

 

How about like where number 15 is?
Sometimes people will do a head job and use silicone to seal the cam cover.
The OEM stuff is the best. The cam cover will leak and the oil will go behind the cover then come out the bottom.

 

Thanks tech,

I own the car from day 1, no work has been done there (#15) ever.
Maybe I will take the Rear TB cover off this weekend and report back.