Oil has been slowly seeping from the area around the cam sprocket for the past 3 years or so. Not enough to be a problem.

 

However, it's gotten much worse the past few months to the point of thoroughly coating the cambelt in oil and all down that side of the block.

 

Is it possible for a leaking rocker gasket to cause this much to appear? Or more likely camshaft oil seal?

 

Are the camshaft oil seals known for eventually leaking on these (1272cc) like the rocker gaskets are known for at that corner?

 

I haven't cleaned the block to get a proper look yet, and don't want to drive it too far beause of the contaminated cambelt. Is it possible for a head gasket to seep oil but not be blown?

 

Can a blocked breather cause rocker/camshaft seal leaks? If so, which one to check?

 

I've ordered a cambelt and rocker gasket.

 

Thanks for your time

The cam oil seal may not be positioned right, usually the rocker cover leaks on theb front or rear and side leaks are cam or dizzy seal

 

It doesnt hurt to replace both but for the cam sela you will need to free the cam to do it so cambelt and sprocket off, set engine to tdc first so you can see its correctly timed, 2 bolts holding theb plastic backing to the head out. Get your haynes out and follow the sequence to undo the cam retaining nuts over 3 passes and lift the cam up to get access, pay attention to the spring ring on the inside of the cam seal when fitting as it has a habbit of slipping free. Refit cam doing the nuts in

Sequence take 3 or so passes till they are tight then finish them to 6nm. Cam sprocket to 60nm 

 

Rocker cover gasket has a arrow on one side, this is the cam side. Push it firmly in to place and fit rocker cover, 3 bolts 6nm dont over do them as they will snap without warning 

Edited 14 July, 20188 yr by kiran_182

I've looked at the Haynes about this but would rather not replace cam seal right now if it's not neccessary. Difficult to determine the cause because of inner cover. I'd also need to make up the sprocket holding tool first - although I have seen a loose spanner used.

 

But - If I were to cut away the inner cambelt cover instead (the outer is already long gone), would I be able to see if the cam seal is the problem straightaway after cleaning?

 

Could a carefully preserved inner cover be slid behind and the arrow repositioned accurately for TDC at cambelt change? If enough of it was preserved and lined up with original retaining bolt holes? Would make things easier to ditch it at this point if so.

 

I'm only wanting to do this for the sake of the oil-soaked cambelt - the car otherwise runs perfectly, especially considering its age and how old some of the parts on it are.

 

Thanks again

Edited 14 July, 20188 yr by oldtech

Clean it up and do the rocker cover gasket and keep an eye on it to see if it continues

Fitted a new rocker gasket and cambelt - all good now, thanks for your help.

 

I cut and discarded the inner cambelt cover but preserved the plastic arrow for the cam sprocket along with 2 mounting holes so can be bolted back on temporarily if needed.

 

Side of block was filthy - all cleaned up and exposed now so much easier to keep an eye on belts & gaskets.

 

Also, cambelt can be posted through the gap between pulley and sump shoulder so no need to remove pulley for anyone reading (unless lower cover is still in place).

 

Was the slow leak from the bottom left corner as you look as the rocker cover?

 

This is where I am right now with new mk2f 1043 purchase, oil seeping from the front of rocker cover but drains heavily down the left side by the cam, and is soaking the alternator.  Previous owner changed the rocker gasket but who knows how well, suggests the cover might be warped so will use feeler gauge and glass to check that.

Got new rocker gasket to try and will give it a good clean so can monitor the result better.

Plastic belt covers still in place, think I will keep them on for that smidge of extra protection

hard to warp the steel cover , the bolts snap really easily so dont be tempted to pinch them up for good luck 

 

new gasket ought to keep it semi oil tight ...i think most weep a tiny bit unless caked in silicone 

This happened to me a few years ago, mega leak from the rocker cover bleeding down the cam side of the engine.  I'd checked the oil the day before and all OK, then for some reason I checked at work the next day and I'd lost half a dipstick's worth in only 40 miles.  It had never lost oil beforehand and I was surprised at how suddenly it started.  Another 40 miles home without noticing and I could have had zero oil, and zero engine.

 

Topping her up and putting another quarter turn on the cam cover bolts got me home (I didn't realise they could snap so easily - guess I got lucky), then a new OE gasket has sorted the problem (10k miles and still OK). 

 

I used an OE gasket without any silicone sealant, but that was due to my lack of knowledge and need to get the car operational ASAP.  I did make sure the mating faces of head and cam cover were spotlessly clean, using a plastic spatula (head is alloy - soft, don't scratch it) to scrape off residue then giving a wipe with brake cleaner.  Also I tightened the cover bolts sequentially and in very small increments to bed the gasket gently. 

finally got around to replacing the gasket, couldn't have done it more carefully and still leaking exactly the same so seems to show that the problem is the cam seal. fortunately didn't take long or cost much!

it's just a continuous dribble from the left side, that eventually makes it's way along the front.

last cam belt replacement was 2004 according to the piece of metal next to it so next job is new cambelt so new seal while I'm in there.