Cam adjuster seal installation tips?

[liscio]

I'm about to perform the 2nd half of a valve cover gasket replacement on my '04 CS, and am still waiting on my cam adjuster seal to show up. It was a huge pain to get the old one out, and I presume it's going to be just as much a chore to get the new one into place.

 

The tech manual suggests pressing it into place from the outside using a "centering tool" after you get the valve cover back on, but I don't have a source for one of those. I read somewhere that a sufficiently large socket should do the trick, but I'll likely have a tough time digging one up.

 

If you've already completed this job, would you recommend installing the new seal while the cover's still accessible on both sides (i.e. off the engine), or is it going to be easier with the valve cover in place on the engine, even without the right tool on hand? Any tricks / gotchas would be appreciated.

 

I almost skipped messing with this seal at all, however there were a bunch of cracks all around it and I am a "completionist" at heart… :)

 

Oh, and don't believe the articles that say the left (driver side) valve cover is the same as removing the right side cover like the tech manual and Pelican article suggests. That damned wiring harness does NOT want to move out of the way unless you monkey with a whole bunch of other stuff at the same time. Ugh!

[JFP in PA]

I'm about to perform the 2nd half of a valve cover gasket replacement on my '04 CS, and am still waiting on my cam adjuster seal to show up. It was a huge pain to get the old one out, and I presume it's going to be just as much a chore to get the new one into place.

 

The tech manual suggests pressing it into place from the outside using a "centering tool" after you get the valve cover back on, but I don't have a source for one of those. I read somewhere that a sufficiently large socket should do the trick, but I'll likely have a tough time digging one up.

 

If you've already completed this job, would you recommend installing the new seal while the cover's still accessible on both sides (i.e. off the engine), or is it going to be easier with the valve cover in place on the engine, even without the right tool on hand? Any tricks / gotchas would be appreciated.

 

I almost skipped messing with this seal at all, however there were a bunch of cracks all around it and I am a "completionist" at heart… :)

 

Oh, and don't believe the articles that say the left (driver side) valve cover is the same as removing the right side cover like the tech manual and Pelican article suggests. That damned wiring harness does NOT want to move out of the way unless you monkey with a whole bunch of other stuff at the same time. Ugh!

 

If you are referring to this:

 

 

It should pop right in with gentle persuasion.

[liscio]

If you are referring to this: 

It should pop right in with gentle persuasion.

Nope! I'm referring to this: http://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/94810593400.htm?pn=948-105-934-00-M100

[JFP in PA]

 

If you are referring to this: 

It should pop right in with gentle persuasion.

Nope! I'm referring to this: http://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/94810593400.htm?pn=948-105-934-00-M100

 

 

OK.  We use a seal installation tool, but a properly sized socket will do it.

[liscio]

OK.  We use a seal installation tool, but a properly sized socket will do it.

 

 

Thanks, this is great! So you're suggesting that the valve cover should indeed go back on before installing this seal, correct?

 

Also, do you recall if the installation tool applies pressure to the harder plastic ring on the outer edge of the seal, or is it snugged to the white cam adjuster, and applies pressure to the "inner ring" of the seal? That'll help guide what size socket I need to locate.

[JFP in PA]

 

OK.  We use a seal installation tool, but a properly sized socket will do it.

 

 

Thanks, this is great! So you're suggesting that the valve cover should indeed go back on before installing this seal, correct?

 

Also, do you recall if the installation tool applies pressure to the harder plastic ring on the outer edge of the seal, or is it snugged to the white cam adjuster, and applies pressure to the "inner ring" of the seal? That'll help guide what size socket I need to locate.

 

 

The seal tool we use matches the outer diameter of the seal.

[liscio]

 

The seal tool we use matches the outer diameter of the seal.

 

 

Thanks, that is incredibly helpful. Cheers!

[VSB in LT]

I know that this is an old post but my camshaft adjuster seal is leaking (found it during a smoke test) and I now need to replace it. The above mentions how to seat the new one (thank you) but how would I remove the old seal without removing the cover? Do I need any special tools to pull it out? Any tricks or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks  

[JFP in PA]

Dental pick will do the job.