About a year ago I bought a well-serviced 2005 xc70 from my mechanic w about 119K miles on it, and I've put another 15K on it. I recently had to replace both front axles, and the heater core. Ugh. My independent Volvo mechanic did the HC exchange by the book (not a short cut through drivers dash), so that was a $3,100 total bill. I also had the oil changed.

Now I have a small oil leak in the front of the engine, and hope it's not another big bill. I'm no mechanic. I've seen possibilities that it's the front or rear engine seal; cam seals; PVC system; or a loose hose.

Question: can an experienced mechanic, not a Volvo specialist, typically diagnose this easily?

Q2: I've seen some folks say a PVC problem is inexpensive (one part) or expensive (replacing the whole system)? $1,000?

Is there something easy for me to look at that might give me a clue?

Thank you in advance.

 

The location where the oil drips off is certainly a clue, and it's easy to notice that.

I don't think a non-volvo-specialist would expect some of what he'd see there, but of course it can be figured out.

 

the reference to the PCV system is that when it clogs it can build up enough pressure to push oil out the cam seals or even push the seals out. As FBP noted start by pulling off the timing belt cover to inspect top to bottom to see what the source is. The thing you can do is a quick test of the PCV - if you have a latex "surgeons" glove, remove the oil fill cap and place it over the oil fill port . start up the car - if the glove inflates like a balloon, you have positive crank case pressure - suggesting a clogged PCV system. If it sucks in or puffs in and out then you are ok.

If you have a good PCV and your seeing a leak from the cam area, it may also be related to the VVT system.

One area of importance - if the timing belt is wet with oil, then you will want to have the car serviced right away. Its better to have $1000 invested in a new timing belt and PCV system refresh than $3000 for a valve job due to a failed timing belt.

 

Yeah, those XC70s can be money pits sometimes. A good mechanic, even if not a Volvo specialist, should be able to diagnose that oil leak pretty easily. They'll probably start by pressure washing the engine bay to get a clear view. As for the PCV, it can be cheap, but often turns into a bigger job than expected. $1000 isn't unheard of, unfortunately.