Cam seals refuse to seal.

[Jtek]

Of course, it's a 7MGE that's testing my sanity here with a terrible oil leak.

Tried o'rielly set, no-go. Tried OEM, then OEM with FIPG and it was even worse. Just picked up 4AGE cam seals and its dripping now instead of a waterfall.

What's the secret to getting these cam seals to work?

Thanks in advance! This is the last try.

 

[suprastroker88]

I used fel-pro cam seals. i put some aviation sealer around the outside of the cam seal and then slip them on. haven't had a leak since. You can get the aircraft sealer at any little auto parts store. I put it on all my paper gaskets around the engine.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d..._-1&keyword=gasket+sealers&pt=N2364&ppt=C1984

 

[Jtek]

Could having too tight of a timing belt cause the cam ends to bend permanently? I usually give a bit extra tightness on the bearing before tightening just to be on the safe side. Never had a cam bend tho, even my stock 1j cams and my 2j cams are fine and they've been sitting over 2 years.

So that sealer is better than the $8 tube of black RTV thats resistant to oil, coolant, water, etc?

 

[hvyman]

Rtv on a moving part is never going to work.

IF there is a groove then it will prolly never seal unless ground down and a bigger seal is used or the seal is pushed back.

 

[3p141592654]

Check the cam itself. The seal lip can wear a groove in the cam and it will leak once that happens.

 

[Jtek]

I've tried recommended cam seals an they were skinnier than the ones that came off, then I used 4age and they were bigger, but were slightly better.

I think the off-set washer is throwing me off thinking the cams are bent, but then still back to the 'why does it leak with new parts' problem.

I'll get that other sealant and try that and possibly different set of cams. Is 7mGTE a downgrade for GE?

 

[Poodles]

Where are they leaking? Got any pics?

 

[Jtek]

It's too hard to tell since the cams have to be spinning to leak, but it appears from the inside where the cam seal contacts the cam itself.

Exhaust is 3x worse than intake.

 

[Poodles]

Are you greasing the inside of the seal before you put them on?

 

[Jtek]

They came pre-greased, but there's so much oil splattered around everything, they just slid right on and the spring inside is in place every time I put them on. Make sure of that!

 

[mkiiichip]

If I remember correctly there is a oil drain near the bottom of the seal (in the head). They sometimes get plugged, and make a good seal leak like hell. Especially if FIPG was used.

Someone correct me if i am wrong, but I think the 7m is setup that way.

 

[Nick M]

If I remember correctly there is a oil drain near the bottom of the seal (in the head). They sometimes get plugged, and make a good seal leak like hell. Especially if FIPG was used.

Someone correct me if i am wrong, but I think the 7m is setup that way.

I don't remember seeing a hole. Then again, new seals are put on a head that has been rebuilt, there wouldn't be any obstructions, especially any type of FIPG as it doesn't go there. If there isn't a drain, then the cam is damage or he is putting it in wrong.

 

[hvyman]

Dry it off. Lube the outside with some wd and push it on. Should be tight to go on. Make sure there isn't a groove on the cam either.

 

[mkiiichip]

For what its worth, i finally found a picture of the drain holes i was talking about. Although this is a 2jz i still think the 7m has the same thing.
See the hole just behind where the seal goes, that need to be clear to evacuate oil from the area of the seal.

 

[spooln30]

Has anyone mentioned crank case pressure? Do you have any sort of pcv or catch can? Just a thought.

 

[Quin]

Did you use any type of sealant on the front cam caps on both sides? Forgot to do that once and it leaked down in this area. Thought it was the cam seal until I pulled it apart and noticed it missing.