Replacing Camshaft seal on MFI...

[sballard]

My car has been sitting for many months while I make multiple rust repairs. When I started it up, oil was pouring out from behind the sheetmetal cover over the cams beneath belt drive for the MFI pump - about a drop every 5 seconds.

I did a search and some folks say it can be done without dropping the engine. But I have no idea what the seal looks like and I figure that I won't be able to see very well in there.

Does anyone have a photo of this in an engine that's out of their car? Also, how do I pull out the seal? Can I just fashion a hook out of a coathanger or can opener? Should I replace the gears and belt too?

[Bobboloo]

You should consider doing a partial engine drop. That will make it a little easier to see what your doing. Just be careful not to stretch any fuel, electrical or oil lines.

Don't have a picture to show but you'll have an idea of what's going on after you pull the old seal out. Just hook it from the inside edge that rides on the camshaft. There's no room on the outer edge to slide a hook into because it's a press fit for the outer diameter of the seal and the housing.

Coat hanger will not work. You need a pointed hook. You can get one at Home Depot. I believe Stanley makes some. Since the seal is a press fit some effort is needed to remove it.

From the top of the motor there will be a couple of 10 mm bolts that fasten the shroud to the back plate that you'll need to remove. There will be a couple more that fasten the back plate to the engine case and 2 or 3 more that fasten the plate to the cam housing behind the MFI sprocket.

If your sprocket shows excessive wear then you should replace it but as long as it can turn the belt without slipping then why spend the money. If it's not slipping with the oil on it then it'll be fine when it is clean. Replace the belt.

[911pcars]

Bobboloo is correct. However,

".....From the top of the motor there will be a couple of 10 mm bolts that fasten the shroud"

They're actually M6 bolts with a 10mm hex head. I think that's what he meant.

Sherwood

[sballard]

Thanks guys. I will remove the heat exchanger and the sheetmetal covering (as I saw suggested in an earlier post) and see if that will give me enough room. I will also check out Wayne's book to review the partial engine drop procedure. I REALLY don't want to completely drop the engine for this unless I have to.

[sballard]

I am still interested in finding a photo of the front left of an MFI engine where the cam seal for the MFI pump belt drive is located. Anybody?