cam seal replacement

Hi

I’m trying to sort out a front of engine oil leak on my 97 1.8 NA.

The oil leak seems to be coming from either the cam cover gasket or the cam seals.

A couple of questions.

I have replaced the cam cover gasket with an aftermarket one and used some sealant next to the cam caps and CAS.

I bought some aftermarket cam seals from Eurocarparts. Is it better to go for genuine Mazda seals? Should I go for a genuine Mazda cam cover gasket.

When replacing the seals should I put silicone under the cam caps themselves?

I don’t think that my crank seal is leaking. Is it best to leave this alone or change it now that everything is off the front of the engine?

 

thanks

 

Tom

Always better to use genuine mazda parts also if the oil leak is from the rear right hand side of t ht e engine it’s most likely the cam angle sensor o ring easy to fix.

I’ve always used genuine Mazda seals and gaskets.

I’ve yet to hear anyone say good things about pattern part cam cover gaskets, the general consensus is that they don’t seal properly and to use the genuine gasket.

There is no sealant between cam cap and cylinder head. The camshaft bearing surfaces are precisely machined and by putting sealant between them the bearing clearance will be increased. 

The only places where sealant is needed is in the ‘corners’ either side of the camshaft/seal caps at the front of the engine and the CAS (cam angle sensor) at the rear if the engine.

I use Loctite 5699 sealant but other sealants are available that will do the job as well.

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/head-gasket-exhaust-repairs/loctite-5699-premium-silicone-grey-gasket-maker-sealant

This is a good good guide, it shows a 1.6 litre so the CAS will be on the opposite side to your 1.8.

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=125386

It’s a good idea to replace the CAS o-ring as well, they go hard over time and leak at the back of the head, all over the heater hoses underneath which then go soft through oil contamination resulting in them failing and a loss of coolant.

Regarding the crank oil seal I’d clean the area down to have a look, if you’re sure it’s ok I’d leave it alone. If you think it is leaking then change it.

If you do feel like changing it you may as well change the cam belt while it’s all apart and it’s good practice to change the water pump at the same time.

If the cam belt is covered with oil it would be a good idea to change it anyway.

That’s all I can think of ant the minute .

 

 

I think Ive pretty much the same issue, and this issue seems to have come from the incorrect sealant being used to fix an oil leak in the past. 

I have mine in the garage at the moment. The guys are very capable but no idea on cost and the likes. 

Anyone got a ball part figure? from previous experience?