I just replaced these both less an 3k miles and the exhaust cam seal is leaking again on my 4age, is there a reason why it is leaking so fast and gone bad? Damn seal is brand new and I have to replace it again

Seal driven in or put in place before the cam cap is tightened down? Driven in straight?
Lubed seal lip & cam surface before install?
Sealer/gasket cement on the corners of cam cap?
Sure that's it?

Put in place then cam cap installed. Lip was oiled, and gasket maker was placed on the od of the seal

I'd replace it again... But before you do, check the seals contact area on the cam first for any nicks or deep grooves. If none, replace accordingly.

KonaTrueno723 wrote:I'd replace it again... But before you do, check the seals contact area on the cam first for any nicks or deep grooves. If none, replace accordingly.

Also check for dirt and contaminants on the cam itself. if it has crap on it, there goes your seal. I asked the dude at the local machine shop the same question a few years ago, he told me to clean it, and when i thought it was clean, use carb cleaner and a scotch brite on the surface where the seal goes. After that, i still have the same cam seals with no leaks.

Ultimx wrote:Put in place then cam cap installed. Lip was oiled, and gasket maker was placed on the od of the seal

no you need to tighten the cam cap then install the seal. it is in the kouki manual in my sig if you need the toyo procedures.


I installed one once that leaked. it turned out it was the spring retainer had come out a bit. i put the seal spring back in place and reinstalled and it was good as new. as mentioned clean clean and clean again.

I'm going to tear it down tonight and see what I find. Last I remember was that it was clean and no burrs or scratches were on the cam seal

As allencr said, the service manual calls for applying sealant to the cam caps surface where they touch the head. I'd bet that's where your leak is.

gotzoom? wrote:As allencr said, the service manual calls for applying sealant to the cam caps surface where they touch the head. I'd bet that's where your leak is.

I'd bet it is too..correct procedure for that forward cap.

I try it again today and see what's going on. Hopefully it works!!!

So I tore it down and the lip of the inter Id of the seal is torn....I replaced it and I will hopefully know by tonight if it worked lol

Any idea what tore it?
Thanks for the update.

Defective seal maybe? I had a new seal go out on me once..it was missing its retainer spring for that lip part

No idea. When I installed the seal I took the cams out of the head. Spring is still in the back of the housing. Cam surface were the seal sits was clean and is when I installed the other one.