KV6 camshaft seal poll
 

A recent thread prompted me to have a look on DMGRS web site , and I noticed that Matt now offers camshaft oil seals in place of the end caps . I have read several threads on here about problems with the end caps coming loose , but have not experienced any problem with the few that I have replaced . I do admit they are tricky to fit properly !
So to investigate further I thought a poll might be of interest to see how common the problem is .:}
Please note this poll is mainly only for people who have had the caps replaced as I assume failure of original caps is a different matter , but I have added an option for those who have had a failure of the original "untinkered-with" items !

Had mine replaced when I had the belts done 6 years ago and they have been fine, although the tooling for them would have been "fresher" back then. Doing the belts this time I have fitted the seals as supplied by DMGRS with again no problems so far. From a design point of view the caps are just that, a cap that fits in the cam housing, and I can see why they can fall out, DMGRS ones are an actual seal that positively locates around the cam and housing so I would imagine a lot less likely to blow out.

My own suspicion is that the replacements that fall out were not fitted properly :shrug::getmecoat:
They need to be fitted squarely and fully home .:}

I recently had to perform an engine swap on my V6 and used the caps from my old unit as I forgot to order the new ones.
It is, of course, a lot easier to pull them out, and fit them with the unit out of the car but Chris is correct. They have to be fitted fully in and square.
I smeared a bit of Holymar on them to get a seal. Been in for a couple of thousand miles now and they are still there.
Had to clean the white sealer stuff off them that the previous guy had used so this may be the third time they have been used.
May seam reckless but as I say, they are still there. Steve

Replaced mine over 5K miles ago with original type caps (not seals), no problems.

They were a complete and utter pain in the rear end to fit properly.:mad:

I agree:}

One point about using seals not caps - I have seen on another engine (Pug XUD in a Rover 218 R8 shape) the end of the camshaft that sticks out beyond the seal go rusty, and the rough rustiness spread to where the seal seals, and damage it resulting in a leak. So I'd rather fit caps.

Bump ! Could do with a few more votes on this one :}
Anyone else ?

Camshaft cap seal
 

I am in the middle of timing belt and am belt change on my Rover 75 2.5 petrol connoiseur. The rear cap went on with little difficulty. The front one was an absolute pig (sorry pigs, will be more PC in future). Some gremlin who resides within the engine kept tilting it out of true. I spent hours trying to get it square. Eventually I made up a simple tool that worked first time. I bought some 5/16 inch screwed rod in the local farm suppliers I am sure screwed rod is also available on eBay. Then cut off a 41/2 inch length, threaded two nuts on one end and locked them together and ditto about 2 inches from that end. then on the other end a nut and washer and a half inch drive 20 mm socket. I screwed a nut on the end so that the socket would not fall off. This was a simple screw jack with the socket as the load bearing end. The gadget was then located between the car wing and seal cap the 20 mm socket bearing against the cap. The lenght was adjusted via the nut and washer behind the socket. I allowed about one inch of the rod to protrude into the socket. Then preventing the rod from turning via the two locked nuts and a plumber's pliers I advanced the socket along the rod thus pushing the cap into place nice and squarely. I was surprised by how much force was needed to push the cap on. It was a little tricky getting everything in place because of the lack of room but it worked and quashed my suicidal thoughts.
Hope this helps someone

Fred

The lip seals would undoubtedly reduce the pressure force acting on the seal by perhaps 50%, but a dust cover would be a must in my opinion or the lip seal will fail early. Hence my logic is fit the original seals fully home and perpendicular, and all will be good.

Remove bumper 20 mins

Remove headlamp 2 mins

Full access to front cam seal achieved :icon_lol:

There should be an option for: no failure, still on original seals

Which, I guess, would be the case if you leave them well alone.:icon_question:

When I took one of my cars several years ago to a well known person on here,
having the belts and a service done he left the caps off and said they were not needed ???, Are they needed. not that I have the car now.

Rev.