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348 Cam seal - to do or not to do?

P

paulbeckham11

Member
Good Morning people, well it was a good morning until I just found out i have a small oil leak from what looks like the left exhaust cam shaft oil seal :cry:

I would usually get it straight to my servicing specialist and get it done, but I only got it back from them 3 weeks ago after having a cam belt service and a host of other things done (engine out) and have a £3165 bill to pay already!

So what I am asking is - do I bite the bullet and spend another xxxx£`s and get it done asap or leave it as its only minor - I had the cam seals replaced when I had the cambelt and valve clearances done in Oct 07! Its seems crazy to have the engine out twice in a month - typical there was no sign of it leaking when they had it out or I would of said do it! Money isnt that free-flowing at the moment but dont really want to neglect my pride and joy!

Advice would be appreciated on this.......

Paul
 
Ignore it. Most of them leak from the cam seals, 348s, 355s etc.
You'll prob have other small leaks as well (eg, check the oil tank return where it goes into the block).

And ignore the naysayers on here that say any oil leak is catastrophic and has to be fixed immediately. It's nothing to worry about. Just slightly untidy.
 
Would not worry about it, although when the belts are done have the seals done at the same time will save on costs and labour in the future as the engine is out already for the belts. All ferrari engine leak at some point in time (hey). Also worth noting to keep the oil level between min and max as when the oil is hot it expands and may causes further pressure on the seals.
If th end plate (circular plates) leak they can be sorted out with the engine in place.
 
Kenyon said:
Would not worry about it, although when the belts are done have the seals done at the same time will save on costs and labour in the future as the engine is out already for the belts. All ferrari engine leak at some point in time (hey). Also worth noting to keep the oil level between min and max as when the oil is hot it expands and may causes further pressure on the seals.
If th end plate (circular plates) leak they can be sorted out with the engine in place.
Click to expand...

Im going to get it up on the ramp at work today and brake cleaner it off and see if we can tell if its the cam seal or just the end plate - not sure whats more likely? Both were done obviously in 07.

I will make sure that everytime I have a cambelt done in future that the seals get done at the same time, they never even offered this time, just said belt and annual service was due and I said do it!

Thanks for everyones input so far - leaning towards the leave it for a bit for now as no one has said different.

Paul
 
paulbeckham11 said:
Im going to get it up on the ramp at work today and brake cleaner it off and see if we can tell if its the cam seal or just the end plate - not sure whats more likely? Both were done obviously in 07.

I will make sure that everytime I have a cambelt done in future that the seals get done at the same time, they never even offered this time, just said belt and annual service was due and I said do it!

Thanks for everyones input so far - leaning towards the leave it for a bit for now as no one has said different.

Paul
Click to expand...

On two occasions I had the seals done on my 348 when the belts were done and after a couple of months (3,000 miles) they started to leak and lived with them for three years till the next cambelt services was needed. I know its annoying but part of ferrari ownership... The main problem I had was the end plates seals would leak also and changed the gaskets on several times too.
 
Kenyon said:
On two occasions I had the seals done on my 348 when the belts were done and after a couple of months (3,000 miles) they started to leak and lived with them for three years till the next cambelt services was needed. I know its annoying but part of ferrari ownership... The main problem I had was the end plates seals would leak also and changed the gaskets on several times too.
Click to expand...

I have clearly been VERY lucky then as I have own this car for 6 years and never had an oil leak - well until now :) It does just really annoy me as i like to have the car perfect mechanically :mad:
 
paulbeckham11 said:
Im going to get it up on the ramp at work today and brake cleaner it off and see if we can tell if its the cam seal or just the end plate - not sure whats more likely? Both were done obviously in 07.

I will make sure that everytime I have a cambelt done in future that the seals get done at the same time, they never even offered this time, just said belt and annual service was due and I said do it!

Thanks for everyones input so far - leaning towards the leave it for a bit for now as no one has said different.

Paul
Click to expand...

The cam seals are at the opposite ends of the engine to the end plates.Check that it's not just coming from the corners of the cam boxes.
 
stevew said:
The cam seals are at the opposite ends of the engine to the end plates.Check that it's not just coming from the corners of the cam boxes.
Click to expand...

The leak seems to be around the exhaust cam area - left bank - cambelt end. The oil is visible by the alternator. Will be looking into it further this afternoon though.
 
Don't want to be anorakish about this, but it's not a great idea to use brake fluid to reveal all.
Best use a good degreaser (or a petrol soaked rag at a push!)
 
We have had a look and pretty certain its the camshaft oil seal - looking at where it has weeped from - its such a small amount though - 4 drips -that it could be down to new oil and cold weather and the resulting high pressure when cold, going to keep an eye on it of course, but dont think its worth taking the engine out again just yet :grin:
 
Cam seal

My Mondi t is with Verdi for some bodywork and soon a full service/cam belt change. My cam seals never last too long either. When I was chatting to Karl about various things I wanted doing, he was telling me they all leak when they're idle but self seal when they're running? I think the certrifugal force of the oil keeps it sealed when the shaft is turning.

Anyway, he says he has a much superior oil seal that doesn't leak oil at rest? Might be worth getting a quote for the job ..... see if he's there or there abouts with the 'better' seal?
 
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