Camshaft Oil Seal Fitting whats the secret.
 

As above. I have fitted two sets of these and when the engine has been stood in traffic for a while they begin to leak. It drips onto manifold and smokes like a trooper. Not losing much oil. But annoying none the less. Normal or spirited driving no problem it just occurs after being sat in traffic for some time.

I am going to buy another set and have one final attempt myself. Should it not work this time then it will go to RCMS to get done properly.

I have oiled the inner lips and used a correct size tool to knock them in place but i must be doing something wrong.

Does anyone have any tips for getting this right??

Cheers

Daz

Where are all the experts today??

Daz, the front cam bearing caps should have a lick of sealer on the face where they touch the head. It probably isn't the seals leaking it's more likley lack of sealant under the cam cap.

They leak like you wouldn't believe if it's not there.

Good Luck David APi Impreza / APi Engines
www.apiengines.com

Ah Never thought it could be that. Threebond at the ready thats this weekends job me thinks.

Many Thanks David you're a star!!

It'd be handy to know how you get on.

Good Luck David

PS go careful with 3 bond - Just enough and not too much is the motto.

I'm going to attempt this with the engine still in the car. It will be fairly tight but I should manage this. I have built one since with no leaks so I must have put too little on this one.

I'll let you know on Monday all being well.

Daz

Daz
Sorry for dragging up such an old thread, particularly on my first post here, but I was wondering if this problem did turn out to be the bearing caps in the end, or the cam seal(s) again. I've got a small seap on my '96 turbo wagon from around the same area on the opposite side of the engine, so I'm hoping to get as much insight as I can into likely causes before I begin dismantling a lot of stuff needlessly. I originally thought it was a leaking rocker cover gasket, but I've changed that now and still have the problem. With the rocker cover all cleaned up after pulling it off, I can see the seaping is actually coming from the very bottom of the timing belt cover, so I'm guessing it can only be one of the cam seals or the bearing cap. I've checked the belt for contamination as a precaution, and thankfully that still looks as-new (I'd just changed it a few months ago as it was due for renewal).



thanks in advance
Mark

Hi Mark, welcome to scoobynet :D

It was resolved by replacing the seal and by putting three bond on the bearing cap.

Have done a fair few since and no issues.

hope that helps.

Daz

Thanks for that daz. Since I'm going to have to go down that route, any tips on getting the cam sprockets off and back on again? Is the Subaru-specific ST vital?

They can be a pain in the arse to get off. I've always loosened them with the cambelt still in position. Although I'm now friendly with my local subaru dealer and they let me borrow any special tools should the need arise.

Or an old cambelt with a set of vice grips on it usually helps.

Good Luck