Camshaft seal replacement

RAV4X4

MEMBER
1997 TOYOTA RAV4
140,000 MILES

Camshaft seal replacement.
the person who replaced the cam seal about 2 weeks ago didn't do it right because when I opened the TB cover I could see the leak was from the cam seal. I want directions on how to remove the cam sprocket while keeping timing mark lined up. Also it seems to me I could do this job without removing the crankshaft pulley and lower TB belt cover. I figured once the cam sprocket is off, I would replace the seal and squeeze back the cam sprocket.

2nd question: when this person replaced the cam seal the first time, he removed the 2 bolts of the cam bracket on top of the seal, and put in the new seal. I noticed from Alldata. Com, there is a tightening sequence of the cam brackets. Do I need to loosen the cam bracket bolts and re-tighten them in the recommended sequence of Alldata? Or can I just tighen the 2 bolts of the cam bracket on top of the cam seal?
thank you

7 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

First, you need to remove the timing belt. You have to slack off the tensioner and remove the belt, remove the cam sprocket, then acess the seal.

Yes, the bracket has to come off and be installed.

Roy

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Saturday, January 5th, 2013 AT 11:20 PM

RAV4X4

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28 POSTS

From your answer, slack off the tensioner and remove the belt ( while the bottom part ( crank pulley and lower timing belt cover)) can remain untouched.

The cam bracket has to come off, but it's not necessary to do the "tightening sequence" except to tighten the only 2 bolts of the removed cam bracket!

I hope i'm not annoying you, I want to be sure it's done right.

Thank you very much.

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Saturday, January 5th, 2013 AT 11:32 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Can you get to the tensioner?

Line up the marks before doing this repair

roy

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Saturday, January 5th, 2013 AT 11:38 PM

RAV4X4

MEMBER
28 POSTS

Yes I can see the tensioner.
I also lined up the marks.
I also use some paint to make the mark on the cam sprocket, Timing belt, and on the top part, so that the belt and sprocket can be returned to their position before removal.

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Saturday, January 5th, 2013 AT 11:45 PM

CADIEMAN

MECHANIC
3,544 POSTS

The camshaft is probably 180 degrees out. Pull #1 spark plug. As u turn the motor over. Put your finger on the #1 spark plug hole. When u feel compression stop. Then insert a pencil in the cylinder. Turn the engine with a breaker bar on the crank shaft, when u feel #1 piston all the way up. Tnen the crank timing mark will be near 0 tdc turn it to 0 degrees tdc. On the crank. Now the timing marks should line up if no u will need to remove the belt or chain and rotate the cam shaft so the marks line up and reinstall the timing chain.

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Sunday, January 6th, 2013 AT 8:23 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Loosen the cam sprocket bolt.
Loosen # 1 tensioner pulley bolt.
Push at belt near tensioner to release the tension on the belt and tighten the tensioner holding bolt.
Push the belt off and remove the cam sprocket.

For replacement of the camseal alone, I never remove the cap. Just pry it off with appropriate tool. Since the first camshaft cap was removed previously, you would need to remove it if sealant was not applied to the joints between the cap and head. If sealant was applied, you need not redo the job unless the leak is from between the joints.

Ensure you have the correct sized seal.
Prior to installation, lubricate the lips of the seal with engine oil or grease. This is to prevent the seal from flipping over and dislodging the spring internally.

After replacement of seal. Reinstall cam sprocket, tighten bolt etc and reinstall timing belt.
Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt to allow the tensioner to self spring to position. Turn the crankchaft in clockwise direction until compression pressure is felt.
Loosen the tensioner pully bolt and retighten to adjust the timing belt.
Turn the crankshaft from 2 turns from TDC and when it reaches TDC again, recheck the timing marks.
If marks are correct, readjust timing belt one more time by turning the crankshaft to compression. Torque tensioner bolt.
Ensure cam sprocket has been torqued correctly and reverse removal procedure for installation.

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