I'm referring to the "seals" on the ends of the cams on the cam gear side. Are these known to ever leak? I have a mysterious leak coming from the upper drivers side of the motor(I think). I think one or both of mine may be leaking slightly(after doing new pistons/rods in my motor). I need to know if those seals are supposed to be positioned as far towards the cam gear as possible before reinstalling the cap or are they supposed to be positioned as far "in" as possible? If this makes no sense I understand, it's kind of hard to explain. My Buddy who rebuilds these motors isn't available to come take a look for a few days so I am just anxious to get this oil leak solved ASAP. And what are those things called, in case I need to order new ones.
Thanks a lot.
Mark

 

The seals should be flush with the cam caps/head-maybe in about 1/4mm. They do leak, usually on high mileage cars, but they can be damaged during an install.

 

I had this same problem. The seal has slid out to the end of the cam.

Pull the valve cover and pull the end cam cap and see. Pretty easy to do and should be ok without taking the timing belt off.

 

Cool, thanks for the info.
I have the valve cover pulled right now. I tried the seals pulled out towards the gears, it leaked. I then tried the seals about flush with the caps, still leaked. So I'm thinking they need to be pulled in a bit further, or I possibly damaged them somehow?
Thanks again.
M

 

Very possible that they are damaged. Seals are only like $6 a piece, I would replace them. Lube the inside lip with some petroleum jelly, helps prevent tearing on install.

 

Cool, the local Acura dealership has them in stock. I'm going to pick them up tomorrow hopefully. Any other tips or tricks to installing them? Does the outer edge need to be greased/oiled or anything?
Thanks again for all the help.
M

 

You can try dabbing a little bit of Hondabond on opposite sides of the seal to help it stay inside teh cam cap.

 

I am having the same problem. I need to know if these seals are supposed to be pushed all the way toward the cam gear, or in towards the motor more. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Is it possible to change the cam seals without removing the cams? If so, how?



Modified by B2FiNiTY at 12:56 PM 5/11/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B2FiNiTY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it possible to change the cam seals without removing the cams? If so, how?

Modified by B2FiNiTY at 12:56 PM 5/11/2003</TD></TR></TABLE>

No.

And the seals push against the cam on the cam gear. If they are against the cam gear they will leak.

 

You can probably remove everything to the cams, unbolt the cam plates, pry up the end caps, and then slide the seals out.

It's not much further to fully removing the cams, but it'll keep you from having to fuss with setting the cams and caps back in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B2FiNiTY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it possible to change the cam seals without removing the cams? If so, how?

</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, I use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the seals out, being careful not to gouge the cam caps and journals. Then I use the special tool from Honda to tap the new seals in-or you can use a socket, but the socket has to be the same size as the O.D. of the seals. You want the seals about 1/4 mm past the lip-towards the engine-not towards the cam gears.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b19coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Yes, I use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the seals out, being careful not to gouge the cam caps and journals. Then I use the special tool from Honda to tap the new seals in-or you can use a socket, but the socket has to be the same size as the O.D. of the seals. You want the seals about 1/4 mm past the lip-towards the engine-not towards the cam gears.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And if you already pulled off the timing belt, which is the harest part of this, why would you not just pull the cam caps? Takes 3 minute to take them off and put them back on. And much more straight forward than all the hassle or prying them out.

You will need to pull the timing belt and cam gears off and once you get to this point doing amything cam related is easy.

 

I do this for a living, and being fast, as well as good, is how you make money.If you waste time taking things apart that don't need to be, it costs you. By the same token, if you are a butcher and have to constantly fix things that you screwed up, you won't be making money. I don't remove things that don't have to be removed to perform a job. Honda makes a special tool to install the cam seals without taking the cam caps off, that says something.

 

understood. ANd without special tools, digging at seals seems like a bad idea with a flathead and 5 thumbs. Depends on your skill level I suppose. When I take my car apart to that extent an hour doesn't mean much to me.

 

point taken. Cool

 

I'd probably spend just as long prying the seal out and screaming obscenities like a sailor.