My 99 is dripping oil from somewhere around the rear of the valve cover. The local mechanic (at the Dodge house) here looked at it briefly and declared a leaking quot;camshaft sealquot;. However, he doesn't have a shop manual for the car and wasn't sure if he can fix it easily, or if it's something that requires a special Mazda part, tool, etc.
I did a little research and found instructions for replacing a leaking cam angle sensor (CAS), but if I am reading correctly that shouldn't be an issue on my NB car. So I'm still a bit puzzled. Can anyone offer suggestions?
Taking it to a Mazda dealership is an option, but it's 60 miles so that's a bit of a nuisance if I have to. It's a small leak and hasn't been getting any worse for most of a year. By the same token, it's not gonna get any better by itself neither. It's the last thing I haven't got fixed on this car since I got it, so it's just going to nag at me until I've resolved it.
I'd suspect and change a Valve cover seal first. A cam shaft seal requires you to remove the timing belt, and are located in the engines front.
Don't go to places that don't know how to get information.
Read the section about putting six spots of high temp silicone rubber on the tight corners while replacing the valve cover gasket.
garage/valvecover/index.html
Originally Posted by tonybelding
My 99 is dripping oil from somewhere around the rear of the valve cover. The local mechanic (at the Dodge house) here looked at it briefly and declared a leaking quot;camshaft sealquot;. However, he doesn't have a shop manual for the car and wasn't sure if he can fix it easily, or if it's something that requires a special Mazda part, tool, etc.
I did a little research and found instructions for replacing a leaking cam angle sensor (CAS), but if I am reading correctly that shouldn't be an issue on my NB car. So I'm still a bit puzzled. Can anyone offer suggestions?
Taking it to a Mazda dealership is an option, but it's 60 miles so that's a bit of a nuisance if I have to. It's a small leak and hasn't been getting any worse for most of a year. By the same token, it's not gonna get any better by itself neither. It's the last thing I haven't got fixed on this car since I got it, so it's just going to nag at me until I've resolved it.
At one point in its evolution the Miata engine had something driven off of the rear of the exhaust camshaft, possibly a distributor. However in Miata configuration that hole is semi-permanently sealed off. The leak is probably from the valve cover gasket. No special tools are required, although a gearwrench will make loosening the coil pack bolts a lot easier. The gasket does need a dab of silicone sealer at the corners where the cam bulges meet the base.
May I butt in, please? I also have this problem with my '94. I replaced the valve cover gasket, sil. seal. and all. No more leaks there, yet oil is still dripping down on the left top of the bell housing and it appears to be under the cam bearing housing. As I see it, it must be the cam shaft seal.
Does it have to be done by the removal of some major parts? Can it not be removed and replaced after removing the bearing cap. Is that not what the censer sets on?
We both thank you for your help.
Shell
The valve cover gasket and the rubber quot;half moonquot; plug(s) at the rear of the valve cover are suspect.
Originally Posted by Shell Surgeon
May I butt in, please? I also have this problem with my '94. I replaced the valve cover gasket, sil. seal. and all. No more leaks there, yet oil is still dripping down on the left top of the bell housing and it appears to be under the cam bearing housing. As I see it, it must be the cam shaft seal.
Does it have to be done by the removal of some major parts? Can it not be removed and replaced after removing the bearing cap. Is that not what the censer sets on?
We both thank you for your help.
Shell
The actual cam shaft seals are located at the front of the engine. On your 94, I'd be betting the CAS O-Ring. A really common failure. Details on replacement can be found in the garage: garage/cas_oring.html
Mazda eliminated the CAS on the 99+ cars, so I doubt it's the OP's problem.
Originally Posted by tonybelding
My 99 is dripping oil from somewhere around the rear of the valve cover. The local mechanic (at the Dodge house) here looked at it briefly and declared a leaking quot;camshaft sealquot;. However, he doesn't have a shop manual for the car and wasn't sure if he can fix it easily, or if it's something that requires a special Mazda part, tool, etc.
Sounds familiar... |
Post at 2-7 08:11 AM
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