3sfe oil seal

[wiccanferret]

Both the cam and crank oil seals will not come out easily. I'm scared of gouging the metal. How do I get them out without damaging the engine?

[nogard]

Try using a seal puller? I think that the part that holds the seals unbolts, but you have to take the pan off to do that. Which isn't a bad idea since it probably leaks too. Then you can use a seal puller.

Otherwise you can take something sharp that is bent at a right angle, like a smaller pick. And you don't want to scratch the outer surface the seal sits in or the crank. But you can stab straight into the flat part of the seal and pull it out that way. But if it is hard to get out, you are going to have just as hard of a time getting one back in, on the car.

[wiccanferret]

Tell me about it. We finally got it picked apart enough to pull out. Scratched the outside edge of the cam a bit but I don't think it'll make a difference. It's not like we had much choice. And you can punch through the middle of the camshaft seal because it's metal.

[Doctor J]

My advice is little too late.

• Get two sheet metal screws
• Drive them into the exposed face of the seal 180 degrees apart.
• Using nail puller bar or pliers, pull on the screw heads, alternating between sides in small incriments

The similar method is illustrated on the back cover of HAYNES manual.

[nogard]

Doc J, pure genius, simple yet effective.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

• Get two sheet metal screws
• Drive them into the exposed face of the seal 180 degrees apart.
• Using nail puller bar or pliers, pull on the screw heads, alternating between sides in small incriments

Damn! That's good advice...I'll remember that one next time. Time and frustration saving...

[white90dx]

The factory service manual (I believe) shows that you can cut around the inner part of the seal (the metal is on most of the flat part and the outer edge) and use that space to pry it out. I used a small drill to make a hole in the metal to help pull it out.

I like the sheet metal screw idea better though!

-Charlie