VTS Cam Seals

  1. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #1
    Hi,

    I had my cam seals replaced not long back as they developed a slight leak.

    After ive had them done they have now completely gone and are pi**ing oil quite badly into the engine bay, got quite a lot covered.

    The thing im thinking it was, is that when i had it done, i drove it quite soon after (Im thinking it hasnt had time to cure properly)

    Could that be the case?

    I've heard rumors that its very hard to stop these leaking?

    Which is the best gasket seal to use and how hard of a job is it to do myself?


    Any advice would be good, as im having to keep checking oil levels everyday and top up if needed.


    thanks
  2. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #2
    if you're losing oil badly enough that you have to check the level every day then you may have a more severe problem than a simple leak on the cam cover seals. I've never heard of covers leaking that badly.

    There's a few threads detailing how best to seal them. Making sure they are completely flat is the main priority - the seals aren't replaceable on the J4 covers so you need a perfect surface on the cam ladders and the cam covers, then a good sealant.

    My sealant of choice is Curil T. Awesome stuff.

    http://www.scparts.co.uk/index/lang-...og.tpl,x-a.htm

    However, the easiest (and arguably better looking) solution is to fit JP4 cam covers from any JP4 engine. Simple to do as a straight swap. Expect to pay around £50 for a complete set of JP4 covers with breathers and coilpack cover in good condition
  3. Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 south essex!! Posts: 2442 posi blue vtrs race car
    #3
    I think he means cam end seals... The seal behind the vernier pulley....
  4. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hazmanscoop View Post
    I've heard rumors that its very hard to stop these leaking?

    Which is the best gasket seal to use and how hard of a job is it to do myself
    I read that as the normal cam cover weeping issues tbh. :/

    Let's see
  5. Established Member Joined: Mar 2006 Farnham Surrey Posts: 1542 AX GT 16v turbo 6 speed with NOS 205 gti6 E 320
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by greyjasper51 View Post
    I think he means cam end seals... The seal behind the vernier pulley....
    If hes used sealant for the cam end seals then no wonder they are leaking
  6. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #6
    No i mean cam covers lads!

    Whats the dif on the JP4 cam covers? they have rubber replacable gaskets?

    I may have over exhagerated slightly with the checking. There is oil all over the engine and it looks to be from the cams like.

    I'll get a photo up.
  7. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hazmanscoop View Post
    No i mean cam covers lads!

    Whats the dif on the JP4 cam covers? they have rubber replacable gaskets?

    I may have over exhagerated slightly with the checking. There is oil all over the engine and it looks to be from the cams like.

    I'll get a photo up.
    JP4 covers are plastic (so give a little more when bolted down and seal better) and yep, have replaceable seals. They're bang on tbh.
  8. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #8
    Good shout then mate.

    So would that be C2 VTS covers im looking for?

    What other differences or mods to the engine are there to do?

    I'll have a look for some, even if they are in shoddy condition i can clean them up!
  9. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hazmanscoop View Post
    Good shout then mate.

    So would that be C2 VTS covers im looking for?

    I'll have a look for some, even if they are in shoddy condition i can clean them up!
    Don't search ebay and the likes for that, you'll pay through the nose. Any TU5JP4 engine covers will work, from any model. IE, 307 1.6 16v, 206 convertible etc...

    There's actually some for sale in the for sale section here iirc too.
  10. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #10
    Here: http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=453024

    £60 posted.
  11. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #11
    Nice one, cheers.

    I'll see if hes got pics first like.
  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #12
    Have you removed the feet if your using sealant on the covers?
  13. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #13
    No idea what youre talking about mate! (No offence)

    I didnt replace them, i got the garage too.

    Wishing id just left it now lol
  14. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #14
    On the alloy (standard) covers there's little "feet" - bits of metal that need to be planed flat - on the bottom so you can use sealant properly. Their purpose is to stop the standard seal being crushed but when you're not running that seal it's better to remove them so you've got a perfectly flat surface for the sealant to work on.
  15. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #15
    Ah ok sorry mate I didn't read it properly. Basically the normal j4 covers come with a seal already attached (most are fucked now) which you cant replace you have to remove it and use the sealant. Were each bolt goes into the ladder there's a small step, they need grinding off or they usually wont seal at all. If the garage haven't done that then that will be why. Can you not just take it back and tell them they are shit and to sort it out?
  16. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #16
    Ah, possibly not then :/

    How did they manage to seal them in the first place???!

    French dont half faf on doing shite jobs of things...
  17. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #17
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tom5190 View Post
    Ah ok sorry mate I didn't read it properly. Basically the normal j4 covers come with a seal already attached (most are fucked now) which you cant replace you have to remove it and use the sealant. Were each bolt goes into the ladder there's a small step, they need grinding off or they usually wont seal at all. If the garage haven't done that then that will be why. Can you not just take it back and tell them they are shit and to sort it out?
    Good shout, i could do like.

    They're a good couple of lads who only charged me a few quid anyway.
  18. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2007 Someones Bumhole Posts: 5721 Mk2 16v Desire
    #18
    Original cam covers seal fine its just you cant buy them anymore and the seals on them were never that great after removing them a few times. Id just do that mate, i'm not in Witney anymore or id of done it for you.
  19. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380
    #19
    file off the lugs on the covers--then remove all the exsisting shite -dry throughly-both covers and cam boxs --use brake cleaner is easiest wayto get a grease free dry surface--petrol is no good as it leaves a greasy layer ,as does turps /white spirit -then apply a very small layer of sealer and it will never leak again
    2 users thanked this post: ,
  20. Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Witney Posts: 2481 Black VTS
    #20
    Cheers for the help guys.

    And the offer to have fixed it tom ha shame you're not!