[SolarUnderwood]

Hey Everyone,

This is my second post on this forum this week since I discovered you all, and I've been browsing different threads and realizing that all the problems I've been having with my car have already been addressed by other contributors.

My new project is to replace my cam valve plug or bore plug, as some call it. Everywhere I've searched involves removing the valve cover to replace and seal the existing plug. In the process of removing the valve cover some people have caused leaks in other areas of the valve cover seal. The one exception is a video I found on Youtube that I've embedded below.

This guy inserts a small screw into the plug and gently pries the plug out, then says that he uses a "punch" to reinsert it. I'm not sure what he means by a punch, so if anyone is familiar with what he's talking out please explain. I like the idea if not disturbing the other areas of the valve cover gasket, but I want to make sure that this method wont risk damaging anything.

Has anyone tried or heard of this method before? Whether you've done/heard of it or not are the pros and cons of it? Also, would putting the plug in the freezer shrink it enough to insert it without trouble? I understand that the rubber/plastic will become brittle and prone to cracking if frozen, but I'm wondering if this method is worth trying as long as it's done carefully.

All responses are appreciated.

 

[insightbrewery]

Hey Everyone,

This is my second post on this forum this week since I discovered you all, and I've been browsing different threads and realizing that all the problems I've been having with my car have already been addressed by other contributors.

My new project is to replace my cam valve plug or bore plug, as some call it. Everywhere I've searched involves removing the valve cover to replace and seal the existing plug. In the process of removing the valve cover some people have caused leaks in other areas of the valve cover seal. The one exception is a video I found on Youtube that I've embedded below.

This guy inserts a small screw into the plug and gently pries the plug out, then says that he uses a "punch" to reinsert it. I'm not sure what he means by a punch, so if anyone is familiar with what he's talking out please explain. I like the idea if not disturbing the other areas of the valve cover gasket, but I want to make sure that this method wont risk damaging anything.

Has anyone tried or heard of this method before? Whether you've done/heard of it or not are the pros and cons of it? Also, would putting the plug in the freezer shrink it enough to insert it without trouble? I understand that the rubber/plastic will become brittle and prone to cracking if frozen, but I'm wondering if this method is worth trying as long as it's done carefully.

All responses are appreciated.

https://youtu.be/VvYqMZOojuQ

Hm, never heard it called anything but a camshaft seal. Well, live and learn/hear, I guess!

Main thing is you don't want to scratch up the camshaft or seal bore. If you take off the valve cover, you can remove the camshaft end cap, which will make removal very easy. Never had any issues with the camshaft doing it this way. Using a screw may scratch something and is ghetto.

Get the right tool for the job, the installer isn't expensive. I used to use just this: https://www.amazon.com/Aven-058-622...83679505&sr=8-1&keywords=toyota+cam+seal+tool

...it will drive the seal in evenly, you want to lube up the seal with oil or MP grease and go until it's flush with the outside surface/housing.

Just got this: https://www.amazon.com/SCHLEY-PRODU...83679505&sr=8-2&keywords=toyota+cam+seal+tool

...and so my Aven tool is obsolete. This set comes with a remover that bites into the old seal and just pulls out. Removal is so much easier now!

Also, using a punch (I like https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-66564...d=1483679623&sr=8-1&keywords=tekton+punch+set) doesn't seem right to me...before I had the cam seal installation tool I used to use a piece of PVC pipe that was just bigger than the seal, and a piece of 2x4 to lever it in. Still had clearance issues from the power steering lines and it wouldn't ever go in evenly. Moral of the story is, just get the $13 installer tool.

HTH

EDIT: Remember that sharp bends and corners in the valve cover gasket's layout are to have black RTV as well. I like Toyota FIPG, but Permatex Ultra Black will work just fine for this. FIPG is way better though. Oh, and don't forget to check and reseal the half-moon plugs while you have it off as well.

In my experience most valve cover leaks with the gasket in otherwise good condition are caused by people thinking that the rubber gasket will seal just fine without RTV around the bends. These aren't Hondas (all mine seal great/are designed to just have rubber, no silicone needed).

 

[71Corolla]

Why doesn't the guy show how he pressed the new plug in? Vital info he apparently forgot to include. You could remove your old plug and try tapping or pressing in a new one but from what I remember it does go in there fairly tight. Freezing it might work, if you do this spray it with brake cleaner just before pressing in this will make the rubber slippery.

Probably best to pull the head cover and replace the gasket and tube seals, re-seal the "half moon" plugs and of course RTV the distributor plug. If you don't want to do that then attempt to install a new plug but you might end up doing a gasket job anyway.

 

[heartdisease]

With the kit you don't have to remove the valve cover gasket right? $13 is probably what you would pay for good sealant anyway right?

 

[insightbrewery]

With the kit you don't have to remove the valve cover gasket right? $13 is probably what you would pay for good sealant anyway right?

Well $13 is for the installer...you still have to pry out the seal somehow. The second kit is a Schley licensed (knockoff?) version of a Matco tool set that has the installer AND a remover that bites into the seal and drags it out. That one's $102.

 

[heartdisease]

Ahh. A tool that will save some aggravation trading it for money. Worth it to me if I ever expect to do it more than once

 

[Artbuc1]

Deleted. My comment referred to V6.

 

[SolarUnderwood]

I think that tool is only for the cam seal. The cam valve plug doesn't have a hole in it and sits where the distributor used to be. The actual seal is covered by the ignition coils, kind of hard to see but it's back there.

 

[insightbrewery]

I think that tool is only for the cam seal. The cam valve plug doesn't have a hole in it and sits where the distributor used to be. The actual seal is covered by the ignition coils, kind of hard to see but it's back there.

Oh, duh...I just noticed the condenser capacitor in the video still, I was thinking of the other side o\. I think your best bet is to pull the valve cover and get the endcap off on that side. Will make removal easy. For installation, get a piece of PVC pipe the same size or a tiny bit larger and get it in flush by hammering or EVENLY levering on the pipe piece. It's the same construction as the oil seals, metal plug with rubber coating, so lube it up before getting it in.

Gives you a chance to check condition of the valve cover gasket...if it's not pliant, buy a nice set with the gasket and spark plug tube seals (some even come with the half-moon plugs, see Beck/Arnley P/N 036-1822, $20 on RockAuto) along with a tube of Permatex Ultra Black or Toyota FIPG (black), and redo those.

 

[slade8200]

Anyone have a toyota p/n for that circle plug?

 

[71Corolla]

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...lug-cap-black-round-plug-cap.html#post6834626