crankshaft seal leak

[Ken Allistone]

Thanks, no need for pics, found them on their website, let us know if the 8 in 1 works for you on the engine mount, I know quality is not 100% but if they do the job thats all that matters. Thanks again.

[4x4 rav]

i took out the motor mount with the slim ratchet today. this time is was close to being "a piece of cake", and i didn't need the "dogbone" wrench.

[4x4 rav]

Originally Posted by Mikester

May I ask, why do you believe the problem is the camshaft seal, and not your oil pump housing o-ring? Unless you remove everything and run the engine, I know of no way to figure what the source of the problem would be.

sorry for the late reply ( i only just noticed your post).

i took out the upper timing cover, and noticed oil leak inside. So i'm replacing the cam seal ( which was replaced 2 weeks ago by a crook). i'm replacing it myself. i'm going to leave the upper cover out temporarily to be sure it doesn't leak again. if it does, i will replace the bracket above the cam seal.

[Ken Allistone]

I'm going to get one of those slim ratchets, any idea of the socket size?, you must know it off by heart by now!!!
I only ever use quarter or half inch so i'll have to buy a few 3/8th ones anyway but i'll buy a couple of the actual one just in case I need to grind it down.
Thanks.
ps. sounds like you found the leak then from the cam seal, good news.

[Mikester]

14mm. There are 3 of them you must take out from the side. It's the center one that you can't see and it's the pain.

[4x4 rav]

Originally Posted by Ken Allistone

I'm going to get one of those slim ratchets, any idea of the socket size?, you must know it off by heart by now!!!
I only ever use quarter or half inch so i'll have to buy a few 3/8th ones anyway but i'll buy a couple of the actual one just in case I need to grind it down.
Thanks.
ps. sounds like you found the leak then from the cam seal, good news.

14 mm socket is needed.

it was the cam seal. The person who replaced it about 2 weeks ago didn't do it right. He was a crook, to be more precise. This time, i fixed the cam seal myself. i found a gouge on the replaced cam seal from 2 weeks ago, perhaps, an indication of sabotage.
Another good reason I prefer to fix my own car.

one advice on the T-handle flex ratchet: you could some thick tape on the area where it bends. This way the ratchet won't bend on you while you are reaching up to the motor mount. I will try that in about a week.

[Mikester]

Did you take off the top half-moon cover holding the cam seal, or did you press it in there. How did you get the old one (the 2-week old one) out? Any other tips or tricks. I haven't done one yet, but got another RAV leaking oil a bit, and might have to get in there and change the cam seal out. It's only a matter of time before I do my first one. Thanks,

r/

[4x4 rav]

Mikester,

i took out the top half-moon out to get to the cam seal. Besides, I don't see any other way: there isn't enough space to use a hammer and socket to tap it in!

I cleaned the area where the seal sits in using Q-tips soaked with brake cleaner (including the half-moon).
Be sure to apply a thin layer of grease to the lip of the new seal which mates with the shaft. I didn't apply any grease to the outer edge of the seal.
I inserted the seal all the way in and put the half moon on top, torquing the bolts to 14 ft-lbs. Then put back the metal cover and the sprocket. 40ft-lbs for the sprocket.

i didn't put back the upper timing belt cover, in order to monitor if there is any more leak from there for a week.
Be sure to make some marks. i used a Q-tip dipped in paint to mark the sprocket and the electrical conduit just above the sprocket: you"ll be glad you did!