Ended up replacing my passenger side cam seal myself. The cost of a shop doing it was to much. It took me two days, and I bought a good torque wrench.
Replaced vvti cam seal. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter greenmachine93
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #3
It was, for almost a year. Smoked my alternator. Job wasn't really difficult, just time consuming.
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- #4
Initially thought it was the valve cover gasket. Changed that but leak was still there. Finally faced reality after the alternator died. For around $200 in parts including a torque wrench, I think it's better than a shop charging something like $1500 -$2000
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- #6
When the leak started it was at around 160000, I had just done the timing belt and the leak was not showing at that time. But soon after it started leaking.
trdcorolla
SILVER Star
I don't have a VVTi but my mechanic friend said these cam seals last forever if the oil is changed regularly, whatever regularly means to him.
my cruiser is at 235K and non vvti and all factory crank and cam seals!
Great work OP. The Vvti has oil pressure in the cam area, while non vvti engines dont, so less leaks. The money you save by having a better gas mileage and power with vvti goes away when time comes to replace the cam seals, something to consider!
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- #11
Following the factory repair manual is key! The setting of the timing before removing camshafts and putting the bolt thru the exhaust cam gear is very important.
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- #12
The cam seal was very hard/brittle compared to the new seal. So they will eventually start leaking. Mine just started leaking sooner than most. I just wish I had done the driver's side at the same time while I had all the crap removed.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Nice job.
Did you happen to check valve lash while in there?
I'm always looking for data
Interesting:
I just saw work order from a local ToyLex specialty shop for a VVT Timing belt job. Everything replaced, including all three seals. Labor was $720 ($1,113 w/parts including 2 gal SLL and thermostat). I thought to myself, wow that is cheap.
I call BS on the shop:
forum.ih8mud.com
Did you happen to check valve lash while in there?
I'm always looking for data
Interesting:
I just saw work order from a local ToyLex specialty shop for a VVT Timing belt job. Everything replaced, including all three seals. Labor was $720 ($1,113 w/parts including 2 gal SLL and thermostat). I thought to myself, wow that is cheap.
I call BS on the shop:
Service: Wheel bearing, Steering Knuckle, Rack OE rubber mounting bushings, Ball joints, Transmission flush W/Surprises!
So I advised client to take to INDY shop that did the Timing belt job, which he did. Although this appears from timing belt cover oil leaks move down by gravity, up, back and to sides from air flow and up and outward due to capillary action. So this has spread to far to make a good call on where...
forum.ih8mud.com
- Thread starter
- #14
No I did not. I was in a rush to get it done. There was a snow storm coming and the wife uses that cruiser to take kids to school. Wish i would have replaced the intake seals, fuel filter and done the drivers side cam seal as well.
