Distributor O-ring replacement, and yes I searched

[87Camry5Speed]

Ok I'll make this short and sweet, I'm going to replace my distributor O-ring cause I got a decent oil leak going around the distributor. It's an annoying mess. Basically, I did run a search on how to do it, but came up with nothing outside of oil leak= O-ring and the other common Camry oil leak issues. Nothing on how the replacement is done.

Here's what I have, roughly: Unbolt the distributor but make sure to mark its alignment against the head (with a permanent marker or touch up paint- remove- replace O-ring, but don't turn the shaft or the timing gets thrown off (I'll mark its location relative to the cap so I don't have to reset the timing)- installation is the reverse of removal.

If I missed anything, let me know, it's my first time yanking the distributor and I want to make sure I get everything right. While I'm doing this, I'm replacing the valve cover gasket, the oil cap gasket (it is starting to seep a little), the PCV valve, and the air filter. A mini tune-up, if you will.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[90 Gen2]

You've got it right, that's all it takes. While you have your distributor out, it is a good time to remove your distributor cap, check the resistance readings on the coil terminals. Oil leaking past the o-ring has destroyed 2 coils on ours in a year's time, and they're only about $30 to replace, a cost regained in mileage after about 10 fill-ups if yours is out of factory spec, not to mention better driveability you gain.

[Toysrme]

That's it!

I didn't have one handy, so I just RTV'ed it to death until it decided to comply. Just make sure you set it to the ignition timing you want *before* you let it dry LoL!

[97&02camryleI4]

Do 97 camry LE's have a distributor o-ring? I have an oil leak building up around the top of the transmission casing right next to the oil sending unit. Valve cover has been replaced so it might be a distributor o-ring if I have one?

[88 LE]

Theres also a internal seal on the distributor.

http://www.kbox.ca/page5.html

KIT#12311976 - $19.99 US Funds

1991-95 Toyota MR2 (Normally Aspirated)
5SFE 3SFE Distributor Seal Kit

1 - Internal Bearing
1 - External O-ring
1 - Internal shaft oil seal
1 - Cap to Distributor gasket seal
1 - Replacement shaft pin

http://www.kbox.ca/page16.html

Do 97 camry LE's have a distributor o-ring?

No.

Your car doesn't have a distributor. It has DIS (distributorless ignition system).

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by 97&02camryleI4

Do 97 camry LE's have a distributor o-ring? I have an oil leak building up around the top of the transmission casing right next to the oil sending unit. Valve cover has been replaced so it might be a distributor o-ring if I have one?

Generation 4 5SFE engines have distributorless ignition systems, so there is no o-ring to wear out and be replaced.

Mike

[89DLXV6]

Perfect timing on this post, Steve.

I just bought an '89 Camry DLX V6 3 weeks ago - go figure with my username =) Car has 215,xxx on it right now.

Anyway.. I immeditely noticed an oil puddle under the car after it's been sitting overnight. Couldn't track it down initially though. Finally cleaned up the motor and undercarriage using 2 cans of brake part cleaner to see where it was coming from. Still wasn't perfectly evident untill I noticed a pool on the top of the block, pretty much directly under the distributor. Further inspection revealed oil trailing on the lower distributor heat shield, voila distributor seal. Couldn't find any listing for a distributor seal or gasket though, but noticed there was an o-ring by checking out online diagrams of an aftermarket replacement distributor. Figured that was it, didn't realize it was such a common problem though.

That being said. I have been unable to locate a replacement O-ring, OEM or aftermarket. I'm tearing, literally, all of the suspension off next week and replacing it with new components.. including the SuperPro Polyurathane bushings. While I'm doing that I'd like to go ahead and replace that o-ring and put a new cap and rotor on as well.

So.. my question is this: Where can I purchase the damn o-ring?! Part Numbers? If there is no part number or place to purchase it, can someone please provide the size of the o-ring and I'll try to pick one up elsewhere. The link provided by 88LE leads to the Injector O-Ring kit.

Thanks guys.

Matt

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by 89DLXV6

So.. my question is this: Where can I purchase the damn o-ring?!

Toyota dealership doesn't have it?

The link provided by 88LE leads to the Injector O-Ring kit.

Scroll down a bit.

They have distributor O-rings, but not for a 2VZ-FE though.

[89DLXV6]

*smacks forehead* Guess scrolling would have helped lol..

I haven't called a dealer yet to ask if they sell them. But I did check parts diagrams on Conicellis order site (via. parts.com) and there is no listing for such a seal / o-ring. Checked the distributor blow up (picture of distributor and related components) and wasn't there either.

I'm calling my local dealer today about coil springs, and will ask then. Will let everyone know what I find.. or most likely don't find.

Thanks for the response!

Matt

[89DLXV6]

Just an FYI to current and future interested parties:

The Toyota P/N for the Distributor Seal is 9009914089 - and it costs about $2

..at least if your getting it for a 2nd Gen V6

Peace - Matt

[basil]

FWIW, my local dealer gets almost $6 (!!) for the distributor o-ring for my Gen 3 Camry with the 4cyl.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

it'd be really nice to have pics of all the o-rings and seals on the dist. since there's internal ones as well.

[sc2dave]

Where is this internal o-ring? any diagrams?

[BMR]

Originally Posted by sc2dave

Where is this internal o-ring? any diagrams?

Here's a DIY showing how to rebuild the distributor; it's not a Camry dizzy but it's similar. The internal seal (not o-ring) you're asking about is shown in step #8.