I've got an engine oil leak. It seems to originate on the exhaust side right behind the upper timing belt cover, right below the valve cover. I replaced the valve cover gasket, but that didn't stop the leak. I find a new spot on the driveway everyday about the size of a silver dollar. Could it be a seal? Is it a big deal? Thanks for any advise. J.D.

I had a similar leak...I could see a slight spatter on the hood right above the timing belt cover...and it turned out to be the seal...inexpensive part and not a lot of labor...requires you to remove the cover and the cam sprocket that the belt rides on...here's the most important part...make sure that none of the other sprockets that the belt rides on move during the fix...the crank typically won't move...but the wheel that drives the distributor can easily move...just carefully mark where all of them were before surgery...

If, by some chance, something does move, there's a method documented in most of the Volvo manuals to get them all back in line...

Assuming you got the new cam cover gasket in correctly, I'd suspect the camshaft seal. However I think the oil from that seal may travel straight down the front of the engine. Have you done the jiggle test to see if the flame trap is open? High crankcase pressure could push oil out the seals.