First time poster - have learned a bit from reading - now need to ask question please.

Starting to do more of the routine maintenance on my 2002 V70 XC which has 112 K miles on it and running well so far.

I pulled the plastic cover off head just now to change plugs. There is quite a bit of oil up on top of the head. (pics attached)

Obviously, this is not a good thing, but what do you think would be causing this?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

 

Changed my plugs in my 850 day before last and had the same issue. I am thinking its seeping from the bolts because there is no other way for oil to get into all the individual chambers up there. I had a single bolt leak on the outside of the plastic cover. I pulled it out, put thread sealer on it and put it back in. Looks like I am going to have to do the same to many others.

 

My guess would have been that it's coming from either the PCV tube or the oil cap. Clean it up real good and get it dry, then check it after 20 miles or so.

 

Thank you very much for quick replies!
I decided to wick up the oil - I used cotton swabs in all the little wells of oil - and I got it cleaned it up pretty good. Most of it was honey-like but fairly clean - like it had been sitting there for a while now. The underside of the head cover was spotless so whatever it is it's not spewing out in there.

I went ahead with plug replacement. All plugs looked pretty normal - a little ash, no debris or fouling. I used anti-seize on threads as the old plugs were (to me) fairly tough coming out. I also used a dab of dielectric and got the cover back on.

If the head bolts are anything like the cover bolts it's going to be a major job breaking them loose if I have to go that route. I must have had an 800lb gorilla servicing this car in the past...

I'll post back on what I find when I open the cover in a few miles.

Thanks again! I'm trying to do the easy maintenance myself now so I really appreciate the forum and all of your knowledge.

Have a great weekend

 

Here is three reasons why oil can accumulate on top of the cam cover.

1) Oil is spilled while being refilled during an oil change.
2) Leaking from a bolt (go over them with a ratchet and see if all are equally tight).
3) Oil cap sealing ring is leaking (I replace alot of them).

 

I concur with Dealer_Tech, and would check the bolts, clean up and perhaps also replace the oil cap seal. Most likely the real cause is that it was spilled, but his suggestions are very cheap and real easy.

Jerry

 

Thanks once again for reading and especially to those who are giving advice.

I checked twice, and so far... no more oil which is good.

Checking service records, my wife did stop at one of the local "quick" service centers for an oil change (two changes ago) so I wonder if they got sloppy and spilled oil. I suppose it's a possibility.

I'll check under the cover again in 50 miles or so.

Thanks you - your help is much appreciated!

 

hi just read your post, i have exactly this problem and have replaced the filler cap seal and have removed/retighten a few bolts but mine is so quick you can see it coming up and out the bolt holes!!

gonna sort the two remaining bolts i can see leaking but i also noticed a snapped bolt in one corner of the VVT solenoid, could this be also leaking as it is maybe not clamped down enough??

any help appreciated

steve