My niece's XC70 was diagnosed by a Honda mechanic as having a turbo oil leak, thus needing a new turbo. Is this a common issue, or could it possibly be the driver side exhaust camshaft seal (that has had a small leak for a while)? The oil leak is external and there is no blue smoke out the tailpipe. Could it be a problem like the old Tbird turbocoupes where the oil return line would plug up? The leak is significant enough that she has to add oil to the engine.

Also could someone recommend an independent Volvo service shop in the Midlothian/Richmond VA area?

For clarification, I have not seen the car for over a year, so I haven't personally looked at the leak.

Thanks!
jorrell

One more thought. Don’t know if this applicable to the 2007’s?? On the older 5 cylinder engines the camshaft sensor seal can go bad. The oil from that will also leak on the driver’s side of the engine.

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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

I don’t have a definitive answer for you. I do agree with your line of thought. At 160k it is highly unlikely that the turbo would croak. I have never heard of a relatively modern Volvo turbo going bad. The 5 cylinder engines and turbos in those cars are usually bulletproof.

It is more likely to be the exhaust cam seal as you mentioned. If so, there should evidence of an external oil leak on the drivers side of the engine. On my 95 850 the driver side exhaust cam seals were very accessible. And the 2007 has essentially the same engine.

FWIW - Regarding the turbo oil return line…. I had a 2002 VW Passat 4 cylinder turbo. The turbo oil return line was the only turbo part I replaced in 242k. Relatively cheap too!

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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....