Cam Seal Leaking - Exhaust Pulley End

[Justin 9]

Hello all,

 

Having just refitted my engine after a head gasket change (and because I dropped a bolt through one of the plug holes!) I started it up for the first time yesterday. Apart from a blowing exhaust it seems to run fine. It started on the button, decent oil pressure, and got up to temp okay a few times.

 

I came back into the workshop this morning and noticed a nice puddle of fresh oil on the floor. Which is exactly what the engine was doing before I took it out! You can see oil running from behind the cambelt cover, down the back of the block and pooling on the sump plug/temp sensor before dripping onto the floor. I'm pretty sure it's not leaking from the cam cover (rocker cover), as all seems dry up there.

 

When I did the head gasket I changed the camshaft seals, as I assumed it was the exhaust cam seal leaking. It leaks all the time - engine running or not, which makes sense as due to the angle of the engine oil collects against the exhaust cam seal I assume.

 

I took care to make sure the new seal was inserted squarely and sits about 1mm into the casting. I have the cambelt cover off at the moment, and you can just see a trail of oil behind the pulley.

 

So the plan tonight is to take the exhaust pulley off and fish out the new seal. The seal was a Payen, so should be alright. I've ordered a new Victor Reinz one (just to see if it's any different really) but I wondered if I should consider a thin smear of RTV around it before I fit it?

 

Cheers,
Justin.

 

[jackherer 543]

That's really bad luck, I know how much effort has gone into sealing this engine!

 

FWIW when I looked at it ages ago I couldn't see oil coming from either the cam cover or the cam end seals or anywhere else despite it somehow ending up lower down so if you can now at least see a trail of oil that is a step forward of sorts.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

I have seen seal housings that were a loose fit before now and allowing an old seal to spin in the housing.

 

Get the housing spotlessly clean, degrease with brake cleaner etc.

 

Then put some bearing fit on the seal and tap it in, leave it for the adhesive to go off.

[Justin 9]

Last night I took the pulley off and there is definitely oil leaking from the seal. I think its from the outside of the seal (rather than the middle where the cam protrudes) but you can see a stream of oil running from the seal down the side of the head.

 

In vain, I did make sure the seal was fully home - it already looked pretty good - cleaned it all up and left it overnight. I don't have a new seal to fit yet, so thought it was all I could do really.

Came in this morning and there's a nice fresh puddle of oil on the floor and, sure enough, a snail trail of oil leading to the bottom of the seal. As you say Kieran, at least I know what it is! Bloody thing! Fishing the old one out in situ might be fun. Are self tappers the way to go? They worked well enough at the dizzy end, but I might have to get the angle drill out to get them in at this end.

 

I've ordered some Loctite 641 bearing set so will be following Tom's advice.

 

Cheers,

Justin.

Edited September 29, 2015 by Justin

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

It is a bit more involved but seeing as you must already have the belt off....

 

I would think about pulling the cam cover and that end cam cap, so run a small amount of sealer between the cap and the head top face. Just to make sure 100% it isn't pushing oil along the join between cam cap and head.