Oil Leak Through Sensor

[nodrogkam]

I've got a leaky Camshaft Position Sensor. The leak maybe caused in part by an older o-ring causing a poor seal and a hairline crack by one of the bolts. Its been getting worse and worse.
A new sensor is $118, so thats pretty much out of the question.
I was advised to try RTV sealant, so i may go that route, and also try to find a replacement o-ring that toyota apparantly doesnt carry.

Here are pictures: If there are any suggestions from people, i'm all ears.
thanks.

[Eye8Pussies]

rtv will do the trick

[nodrogkam]

Alright, then i'll give that a shot tomorrow. Any specific one i should use? grey, black...etc?

[dc_98_cam]

I found a product called Anaerobic Gasket Maker, made by Permatex. It is oil/gas resistant, and might give you a thinner/superior seal, compared to RTV. Being anaerobic, it only solidifies when air is excluded from contact. Clean off the metal surfaces with acetone or alcohol, and apply to outer circumference of one surface ... you want a continuous bead, but you don't want a lot of excess compound, because it won't cure/harden. .... about $15 from NAPA. ... enough for several dozen seals and gaskets. ... Probably not an issue, but if the gasket is too thick, it might affect the cam sensor position, and its performance.

[toyomoho]

Might go down to an autoparts or hardware store and find a thick O-ring that fit the diameter of the sensor. When the sensor is bolted on the O-ring will conform to the space.

[nodrogkam]

yes i can do that but the thing is the sensor housing around the left bolt is cracked, so i think the amount of pressure and seal will still be weak. so i want to seal up the crack first, as well as getting a new o-ring, possibly a thicker one like you suggest.

[marc780]

I've had had this problem with other sensor types on other cars. Sometimes it's leaking through the plastic parts and then how to fix? I'd get a junkyard part, preferably a pic your part type junkyard.

[Eye8Pussies]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

I found a product called Anaerobic Gasket Maker, made by Permatex. It is oil/gas resistant, and might give you a thinner/superior seal, compared to RTV. Being anaerobic, it only solidifies when air is excluded from contact. Clean off the metal surfaces with acetone or alcohol, and apply to outer circumference of one surface ... you want a continuous bead, but you don't want a lot of excess compound, because it won't cure/harden. .... about $15 from NAPA. ... enough for several dozen seals and gaskets. ... Probably not an issue, but if the gasket is too thick, it might affect the cam sensor position, and its performance.

I've used that before on my fuel line, and it works okay....but it's not great by any means. It also doesn't work on bigger cracks, etc.

It's more specifically for gasoline contact use since rtv isn't recommended then



and I would go with black rtv

it's the same stuff you use when doing your valvecovers

[nodrogkam]

I ended up using the Grey RTV since some college friends said it was better for what i need it for. They're kind of the same in my opinion, but they grey is more sensor specific.

12 miles for normal/light driving was fine, im going farther and on the highway tomorrow, so that'll be the real test.

Thanks for the help.

[nodrogkam]

1 of 2 patches failed. I re-did them both. I hope it works out better this time, i applied without the nozzle and it seems smoother. So hopefully it'll work out.