[nomad327]

I'm gearing up for my timing belt on SVT, has anybody needed to replace the seals on the cams or front crank on their zetec engine?

 

[Pezlam]

i have, the cam cover is leaking on my zetec after i replaced my timing belt because i didnt replace the gasket after taking it off, so i would recommend getting a gasket when you buy your timing belt kit. Thanks btw your post has reminded me to fix that

 

[subtleshift]

for both of you posters above!

i would definatly always get a new gasket, especially for engine pieces, BUT (this is the important parts...)

when i painted my valve cover, i bought a new gasket and everything, and put it back on...didnt notice any problems untill yesterday...i opened it up to check the spark plugs and their was an oil puddle around all 4 spark plugs!

turns out when i put the valve cover back on (with the new gasket) i over torqued the screws which actually causes the gasket to stretch out...(do to the pulling effect i guess)..of course their is no way to know that i did this untill you check something out under the cover again (ie spark plugs)...

anyways point is... DONT MUSCLE DOWN THE CAM COVER BOLTS! the rubber will create a good seal without a lot of force so just snug them down, but not too much as you dont want to stretch out the gasket!

also when you replace the cam cover gasket make sure and thorouchly check the rubber rings on the bolts...mine were totally effed up and i didnt notice it untill yesterday also! you can buy the rubber bolt seals fairly cheap and it might help a lot with sealing the cam cover down...

for the price i wouldnt over look it like i did last time!!!

 

[nomad327]

I was actually thinking of the seals on the three shafts located behind the sprockets. I did buy a valve cover gasket, but appreciate the responses.

 

[autotec]

I say leave the cam and crank seals alone if they are not leaking. Replace the valve cover gasket due to the low price. But the cam and crank seals do not get removed when you do a timing belt. If they are leaking, replace them. Oil on a timing belt will make it fail very fast, and that gets expensive.

 

[BMARTIN03ZX3]

I say leave the cam and crank seals alone if they are not leaking. Replace the valve cover gasket due to the low price. But the cam and crank seals do not get removed when you do a timing belt. If they are leaking, replace them. Oil on a timing belt will make it fail very fast, and that gets expensive.

x2 that, when you get in there and notice they are leaking get new ones. If you have done a VCT ford before makes sure you have all the tools cuz it can be a little tempmentla if you miss align the cams.

 

[jwalz]

I know this sounds basic but just bought a 2000 lx SOHC for my 16 year-old daughter. I need to replace the valve cover gasket. How hard is this?...I'm okay with tools but haven't done much work on cars in a long time...