TDIGREEN1

93 L400 I am in the middle of a timing belt change and spent an hour looking for answer - so please don't think I'm just too lazy to search. The main reason for the belt change was to find this oil leak. Well - I think I finally found it. Seems to be coming from the mating surface on the passenger side front cam cap. Already replaced the valve cover gaskets and seals last summer - but at that time did not realize the leak was coming from under this cap - and was afraid to remove it for fear of damaging the shaft seal. Just replaced the cam seal tonight - along with the PS pump reservoir O-ring when I saw what I think is the source. SO: I will pull the valve cover tomorrow : Question: Can I remove this end cap without hurting anything? How do I seal the mating surface to correct the leak? And no - it is not coming from the valve cover mating surface there - I did use the extra sealant in the corners and I can see the leak is not from the valve cover - it is coming from under the cam cap. I would appreciate a little help... thanks!

brybo86

Pics please, I'm blind

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

You have to remove the cap and use some FIPG. Are you saying you already changed the cam seals? If so maybe the seal on that side was not seated properly or got twisted when reinstalling the pulleys.

TDIGREEN1

Thanks, Sha4000 - just needed confirmation before pulling the cap.. I will do that right now. I did not pull the caps when doing the valve cover gaskets for fear of screwing up the seal - plus I didn't realize it was leaking from the cap until now. Did the seal last night - but it was when I was deleting the air valve on the PS pump that I realized the end cap on the cam was the source of the leak. Can't post any pics right now - computer driver problems.

djamps

Assuming the caps on the rear of the heads... yes you can remove and reseal them, it's a common leaking point.

TDIGREEN1

I need to look at the valve cover replacement tutorial again but it should have something in there about removing the front end bearing cap and re-doing the RTV sealant - with a note not to worry about damaging the cam seal.. There is only a small mating surface to place the sealant between the bearing oil gallery. No wonder that was leaking. IMHO that is the weak point of the engine design I've seen concerning potential oil leaks.

TDIGREEN1

crappy pic but here is what it looks like after removing and replacing with FPG sealant. Maybe that will do it.