Help with speedo o-rings & valve cover gasket

[perk]

First attempt at wrenching my 95LC (or any other auto) a success. I installed new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor (all OEM). Now I've at least justified purchasing the FSM. It went fairly smoothly, took about 1.5 hrs in all (I realize I'm not breaking any records here). Number six plug wasn't too bad, the hoses up against the cab didn't quite allow the wrench to be vertical, bit it threaded in smoothly. Removing and reinstalling the air hose put up the biggest struggle.

The truck has 89K miles. I had a throttle body, injector, and valve cleaning service performed yesterday, and now with the tune up, it's running great. The engine fires almost immediately, idles smooth as can be at 650 rpm, and has a dramatic improvement in acceleration. Hopefully I will also find an improvement in MPG.

Now I need to address some other issues. I've been told by dealer I need to replace leaking speedo o-rings. Are we talking speedometer driven gear assembly, if so where the heck is it? I've found this assembly in the AT section of the FSM, but can't match up the illustration with it's location on the car. Also, are there two? I ask because the repair invoice states "o-rings" plural. Also, is this the same speedo o-ring that can allow leaking into the differential oil, turning it green?

I need to replace my valve cover gasket, but I'm not sure I'm up to doing it myself. What is the degree of difficulty in this procedure considering my background. How long do you expect this to take me considering it took me about 1.5 hrs to do plugs, wires, cap, and rotor? Are there any tricky parts? Are there other items that might as well be replaced along with it, since your in there? Dealer quoted $270.

Thanks
Perk

 

[perk]

Scratch the speedo o-ring problem, found it. After going back over the FAQs, I saw that it was part of the transfer case, went out and looked, and there it was (does appear to be leaking). I'm going to go put the o-ring on it right now. But if there is more than one, let me know.

Still need advise on the valve cover gasket.

 

[perk]

That took about 15 min. start to finish... for me. Dealer wanted $85, ($2.50 o-ring)...what a joke! The old o-ring I took off didn't look to bad, just a little compressed. There was a lot of oil and grime around that area. I'm wondering if there may be more going on then the leaking speedo o-ring. The inspection/repair invoice also noted a leaking rear trans seal ($95). Could a leaking rear trans seal also contribute to the oil and grime around the transfer case? I guess replacing a rear trans seal is an easy job as the dealer only wants $95 to do it. Anyone done one of these before, if so any advice?

 

[IdahoDoug]

Perk,

You've got your very own thread going here - heh. There are 2 seals for the speedo sensor, so if you still have a leak the other one is just as easy. To find out where the oil/grime is coming from (may actually be excess grease flung from the driveshaft fittings) spray a good foaming engine cleaner on the underside of things and gently hose 'er down. One you get all that crap out of the way, you may well discover it's simply from shaft grease and points farther forward on the drivetrain being carried rearward.

DougM

 

[perk]

Thanks Doug...I was starting to feel like I was talking to myself Anyways the voices have stopped (for now). Is the second seal your referring to the actual seal inside of the speedo driven gear?