Oil leak/ remove engine cover

[1981George]

Hello,
I think I've got an oil leak from my XC70 D5. There's definitely been oil spilled during topping up but I think it's worse than that and there's a leak as well.
I'm not losing a lot but it's something I'd like to find and fix.
The first problem I'm having is I don't know how to remove the engine cover. Could anyone advise? I've put some photos of it. There aren't any obvious screws or anything else holding it in place. I think it just pushes down but I've not given it a hard pull incase I break something. Can someone tell me how to remove the cover without damaging it? All the youtube videos are for different covers that are screwed or have separate clips holding them in place.
After I get the cover off I plan to clean off the spilt oil plus any other oil I can see and then start looking for the leak(s).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
George

[palwing]

Just pull it up. It just sits on upright posts held with rubber grommets fitted to the underside of the cover. Give it a bit of a tug as vertically as possible and it should just pop off. Once off, you will see what I mean. Just ensure the rubber grommets are in place when you refit it. Sometimes they stay on the posts, but can be refitted to the cover very easily.

[jnmonaghan]

A possibility for your oil leak is a de-------fective seal on the oil filler cap.
Replacement seals are available. It's just a large rubber washer.

Jude

[1981George]

Originally Posted by palwing

Just pull it up. It just sits on upright posts held with rubber grommets fitted to the underside of the cover. Give it a bit of a tug as vertically as possible and it should just pop off. Once off, you will see what I mean. Just ensure the rubber grommets are in place when you refit it. Sometimes they stay on the posts, but can be refitted to the cover very easily.

Thanks, I thought that might be it as there wasn't anything obvious holding it down but didn't want to knacker if I was wrong. I'll give it a go tomorrow.

[1981George]

Originally Posted by jnmonaghan

A possibility for your oil leak is a de-------fective seal on the oil filler cap.
Replacement seals are available. It's just a large rubber washer.

Jude

Thanks, once the cover is off I'll look for anything obvious and then try the filler cap if nothing looks likely.
I'm hoping to clean up as much oil on the surface and then check regularly to see if I can find the leak. It looks like it's from the top of the engine block near the oil filler cap. That could be an easy fix.

[palwing]

Originally Posted by 1981George

Thanks, once the cover is off I'll look for anything obvious and then try the filler cap if nothing looks likely.
I'm hoping to clean up as much oil on the surface and then check regularly to see if I can find the leak. It looks like it's from the top of the engine block near the oil filler cap. That could be an easy fix.

This should do it ? Worked for me.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283452421120

[Brendan W]

Each time the cover comes off, flip it over and count the four rubber keepers. If or when the cover is tight one can go missing. It helps if you put a smidgin of rubber friendly grease, silicone for example, on the four metal posts when the cover goes back.
While waiting for a new oil filler seal you could try flipping the existing one to reduce the leakage. You can expect these to have a life of 40-50k or so.

[1981George]

Thanks for the advice, I've got the engine cover off and cleaned up most of the obvious oil from around the oil cap. Although it's hard to tell it does seem to be the oil cap seal where it's leaking from, not helped by the oil I've spilt topping up etc.
I've put a few photos up when I was part way through cleaning the oil off. I'll give it a proper clean to remove all the oil I can see and reach.
I've ordered another seal for the oil cap. Even if that isn't the problem it wasn't expensive and can't hurt.

On a related note does anyone know the volume of oil between the bottom and top marks on the dipstick for a 2.4 litre D5 diesel engine?