replace camshaft seal on 1996 camry, 6 cyl

[creaker2]

Does anyone have any suggestions for removing a camshaft front seal on a 6 cylinder, 1996 camry? I tried using screw drivers and heavy duty picks on the seal that was easily accessible with no success. When that didn't work, I used a suggestion in a post from another member. He suggested drilling a small hole in the seal and then inserting a sheet metal screw and pulling with a cat's paw. This method worked fine on the seal that was accessible. Unfortunately, I can not get a drill into the other cam seal - it's too crowded.

I needed to replace the timing belt and water pump so I thought I'd do some preventive maintenance and replace the seals on the crank and camshafts at the same time. I hate to leave one old camshaft seal.

The car has 166,000 miles. How long before camshaft seals normally leak?

Thanks for any help. Without all the great information from toyota nation members, I would not have tackled the timing belt.

[71Corolla]

The Haynes manual says to "carefully cut away the seal" then very carefully pry it out with a screwdriver. That has never worked for me, seems like a terrible way to do it.

Something like this

Something like this

might work for you, how much space do you have to work with? There might be other versions that are more compact if you don't have the room.



edit - you need something along these lines. There is no specific lifespan of a seal, it can last the life of the engine if the fluids are changed regularly. With cars that I have owned since new I never replace them and they never have leaked yet. The exception is my 1971 Corolla (yes I really do own one) the seals had to be replaced but they were not made near as good back then. My neighbour has one of these it comes in very handy. A quick search for "angle drill attachment" comes up with this stuff.

[creaker2]

Thanks for the information. The flexible drill attachment would definitely work. I may use that option in the future but for now I think I just put everything back together. I'm glad to hear the seals can last many, many miles.

[Eye8Pussies]

hey, you don't need to drill a hole

using a self-taping screw, just lightly hammer it so that it will pierce the seal a bit- then turn it and let the self-tapping part take over

it can go in at a decent angle for the rear cam seal and it'll still work

[71Corolla]

^^ I tried hammering in a screw, never had any luck with that. I couldn't get enough swing space for the hammer to pierce the metal casing of the seal. There may be more luck on some cars I don't know.

[Nervous]

oops. my bad. Camshaft!
So, replacing camshaft seals was kinda easy for me, since I removed the valve cover. In this case just unbolt the bracket from the camshaft:
A project car? Camry Wagon V6 LE (pics)

[Stillrunning]

I use this: http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...n=1&category=7

It will not scratch the cam shaft and provides some leverage.