V40: - Camshaft seal oil leak

Sweeney Croc · Oct 16th, 2018, 22:41

The front camshaft seal is leaking badly on my year 2000 V40 2Lt, (179k) - oil spurts out everywhere.
It had been serviced a couple of weeks earlier & I asked for the 10w 40 semi synthetic oil already in the vehicle to be replaced with the same type of oil. However, I think the wrong oil may have been put in. Would a mix of a different oils (ie synthetic mixed with semi synthetic ? ) effect the seals and weaken them? It looks as if it’s just the top seal that has gone but are there any other seals that could possibly be effected? Should these seals be changed aswell? Many thanks

canis · Oct 17th, 2018, 02:31

There may be other leaks, but they might not become apparent until the one you can see if fixed. With that much oil spurting out like you describe, that means anything "downstream" of that component is going starved of oil. And that's really bad news for these camshafts, because they don't have bearings.

You need that fixed immediately. Not in a weeks time, not in a months time. Not for next pay-cheque. Now. Right now. No you can't just top it up and run around in it for the time-being. Every single second that engine runs like this is doing irreperable harm, and will write-off the car. Get it fixed.

Once proper oil pressure has been regained, then you can begin to look for other leaks which may exist. Personally, I don't think mixing oils will damage seals. I think it's far more likely this one has just given up co-incidentally. But that's just my opinion.

Sweeney Croc · Oct 17th, 2018, 22:03

Many thanks Canis. I have owned the car for 15 years and the oil light has never come on when driving. So, as soon as the oil light came on I stopped the car. There was too much oil outside of the engine to contemplate driving it any further so it was towed back home and hasn’t been used since. I’m currently waiting for a mobile mechanic to look at it. Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

canis · Oct 18th, 2018, 03:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweeney Croc

So, as soon as the oil light came on I stopped the car. There was too much oil outside of the engine to contemplate driving it any further so it was towed back home and hasn’t been used since.

Very wise.

Just incidentally, I notice you're in Horsham. I went to Forest Boys. I was N1W1Z2.

Oct 16th, 2018, 22:41	#1
Sweeney Croc New Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2019 20:23 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Horsham	Camshaft seal oil leak The front camshaft seal is leaking badly on my year 2000 V40 2Lt, (179k) - oil spurts out everywhere. It had been serviced a couple of weeks earlier & I asked for the 10w 40 semi synthetic oil already in the vehicle to be replaced with the same type of oil. However, I think the wrong oil may have been put in. Would a mix of a different oils (ie synthetic mixed with semi synthetic ? ) effect the seals and weaken them? It looks as if it’s just the top seal that has gone but are there any other seals that could possibly be effected? Should these seals be changed aswell? Many thanks

Oct 17th, 2018, 02:31	#2
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	There may be other leaks, but they might not become apparent until the one you can see if fixed. With that much oil spurting out like you describe, that means anything "downstream" of that component is going starved of oil. And that's really bad news for these camshafts, because they don't have bearings. You need that fixed immediately. Not in a weeks time, not in a months time. Not for next pay-cheque. Now. Right now. No you can't just top it up and run around in it for the time-being. Every single second that engine runs like this is doing irreperable harm, and will write-off the car. Get it fixed. Once proper oil pressure has been regained, then you can begin to look for other leaks which may exist. Personally, I don't think mixing oils will damage seals. I think it's far more likely this one has just given up co-incidentally. But that's just my opinion.

Oct 17th, 2018, 22:03	#3
Sweeney Croc New Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2019 20:23 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Horsham	Many thanks Canis. I have owned the car for 15 years and the oil light has never come on when driving. So, as soon as the oil light came on I stopped the car. There was too much oil outside of the engine to contemplate driving it any further so it was towed back home and hasn’t been used since. I’m currently waiting for a mobile mechanic to look at it. Many thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)