Oil leaks from valve cover, front crank seal, and rear main seal
Symptoms
Seepage or drips from the valve cover gasket, front timing cover, or rear of the engine. Oil may pool on top of the gearbox bell housing or drip onto the subframe. You'll smell burning oil if it hits the exhaust.
Cause
Rubber gaskets and seals harden with age and heat. The B21/B23 red-block engine runs warm, and if the PCV system is clogged, crankcase pressure forces oil past every seal it can find. Valve cover nuts also loosen over time.
Fix
Before replacing gaskets, check and clean the PCV system (see below).
For the valve cover, torque the nuts to 60 Nm (not more, you'll crack the cover).
If that doesn't stop the leak, replace the valve cover gasket and the half-moon rubber seals at the cam towers.
Use genuine Volvo or Elring gaskets.
Front crank seal is best done during a timing belt change.
Rear main seal requires gearbox removal.
Don't ignore a weeping rear main, once it starts pouring, you've got a big job.
Some owners live with a slow seep and just check oil regularly.
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