F#cking Leaky Cam Seals
#1
F#cking Leaky Cam Seals
Don't get all excited, the first word in the title is an adjective and not a verb.
Engine is a 99 1.8L with about 100k miles. Had the head off a month ago to put in ARP head studs. The car has always had a hidden slow oil leak and I was hoping it would go away after the teardown since I replaced damn near everything including the camshaft seals. Decided to put dye in the oil last weak and determined it was the cam shaft seals leaking down the metal plate under them. So last night I tore down the bare essentials to get to the camshaft seals. Pulled the caps off holding them in and cleaned all the surfaces. I inspected everything, and there were no big gouges or anything I could see of feel that would cause a leak.
Decided to use Hylomar Blue on the outer part of the seals and the seal mating surface on the block and caps in the hopes that it would seal them in better. Oiled the inner part of the cam seals and then pressed them in using the Flyin Miata tool. Let the valve cover rtv cure overnight (in the six vertical spots). Drove the car today for about 15 min and as soon as I pulled in I could see oil dripping off the bottom of the front plate.
I've read everything there is about putting these in and it seems very straightforward. There does seem to be an oddly high number of threads across the internet about these seals leaking, but no definitive fixes.
Just a note, the first time the cam seals were installed by me I did oil the outside and inside like it says to do most places. I only tried the Hylomar blue the second time and it didn't work either.
Anyone have any thoughts as to what the issue might be?
Engine is a 99 1.8L with about 100k miles. Had the head off a month ago to put in ARP head studs. The car has always had a hidden slow oil leak and I was hoping it would go away after the teardown since I replaced damn near everything including the camshaft seals. Decided to put dye in the oil last weak and determined it was the cam shaft seals leaking down the metal plate under them. So last night I tore down the bare essentials to get to the camshaft seals. Pulled the caps off holding them in and cleaned all the surfaces. I inspected everything, and there were no big gouges or anything I could see of feel that would cause a leak.
Decided to use Hylomar Blue on the outer part of the seals and the seal mating surface on the block and caps in the hopes that it would seal them in better. Oiled the inner part of the cam seals and then pressed them in using the Flyin Miata tool. Let the valve cover rtv cure overnight (in the six vertical spots). Drove the car today for about 15 min and as soon as I pulled in I could see oil dripping off the bottom of the front plate.
I've read everything there is about putting these in and it seems very straightforward. There does seem to be an oddly high number of threads across the internet about these seals leaking, but no definitive fixes.
Just a note, the first time the cam seals were installed by me I did oil the outside and inside like it says to do most places. I only tried the Hylomar blue the second time and it didn't work either.
Anyone have any thoughts as to what the issue might be?
#2
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
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After dozens of timing belt/water pump jobs (including cam seals), I’ve found some Miata engines just like to leak at the cam or crank seals. Just needs lots of cleaning and proper rtv’ing at the corners. As long as you’ve done all that correctly, there’s only so much you can do.
#3
After dozens of timing belt/water pump jobs (including cam seals), I’ve found some Miata engines just like to leak at the cam or crank seals. Just needs lots of cleaning and proper rtv’ing at the corners. As long as you’ve done all that correctly, there’s only so much you can do.
What is your strategy for cleaning? Would polishing or scuffing them up with scotch brite help at all?
Do you think a good synthetic grease might help on the inside of the cam seal instead of oil?
#4
Just realized there are eight different manufacturers of these camshaft seals just on Amazon and Rock Auto. Said screw it and ordered one of each. Just for curiosity sake I want to know if there are differences between them. If one of them works, it will be well worth the $40 for me.
1999 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA 1.8L L4 Camshaft Seal
APEX ATC4050
BECK/ARNLEY 0523322 (052-3322)
FEL-PRO TCS45860
MAHLE 66864
NATIONAL 223420
SKF 13429
TIMKEN 223420
ISHINO W01331642639ISH
1999 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA 1.8L L4 Camshaft Seal
APEX ATC4050
BECK/ARNLEY 0523322 (052-3322)
FEL-PRO TCS45860
MAHLE 66864
NATIONAL 223420
SKF 13429
TIMKEN 223420
ISHINO W01331642639ISH
#11
mkturbo.com
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,194
Total Cats: 1,687
What brand seals are you using? OEM from Mazda are the only ones I will use now. I have had far to many parts store seals leak to ever keep using them. Cam, crank, main, oil pan, and rear are always 100% OEM in my motors.
#15
On gaskets in general, there is a HUGE difference between Mazda OEM and what you get from regular parts stores.
#16
I am going to echo the some engines just leak. I have replaced the cam seals on my 1.6 3 times now. Twice with after market and this last one eith OEM. They last a few thousand miles and then start leaking. I even tried not bottoming them out this time and same thing. So now I let them leak.