Cam tensioner seals replacement

[morris400]

Well I blew out my half moon seal on my 01 s4. New seals are coming tomorrow but I down have that 3366 tool and no one in my city seems to have it or the do but won't rent it out.

I've read that doing the cam tensioner and half moon seals can be done with out it but it's a pita. I need my car for Monday morn so looks like its going to be a pita...

What the best way to so this without the 3366 tool? And is it really that much of a pita?

Thanks guys


Kenny

[The_Auto_Tech]

Tons of people try and do it without the tool but I highly don't recommend it. It's a bitch to get the cams back in correctly without slack in the chain. A lot of guys simply try and slide the new seal in but I'm not sure what the point is with risking it leaking again. I can't imagine there's any good way to tension the tensioner without the tool because of how its shaped. Take the timing belt off, take the gears off, take the valve covers off, and pull the cams. That way you can address ALL the seals, not just two of them. While you're at it do the timing belt if it needs done.

EDIT: Having the tool is worth it for the 2.8/4.2/1.8T as well.

[zillarob]

Id be a little concerned about blowing the half moon out, thats gotta take some doin.

The tech is right on the tool.
You prob can do a little better job if you pull the cams, but thats overkill for this job.

[purchasers4]

Just did this, get the tool on Amazon - its only $15

[2000s4_m]

I have one i can lend to you but if i mail it to you ill probably be there in a week or so

[morris400]

I have one i can lend to you but if i mail it to you ill probably be there in a week or so

Thanks for the offer but your right it would take a week or more to get here.

So this is pretty much undoable with out the tool?

[00SantorinS4]

It's a PITA to do with the damn tool, nevermind trying to lift the tensioner without it!

Wait until you see how much fun the Drivers side is. Pass side is a cakewalk compared to it.

Just get one overnighted from Amazon if you need it badly.

[morris400]

Over night will take till Monday and I really need the car for Monday. No one local has me to either.

[97B518TQM]

It is doable without the tool but like everyone has said, it's not fun. Heck, I replaced the driver side intake camshaft without having the tool and that was almost impossible to get right without the tool but I did it. For the other side I just borrowed the tool from a friend since I didn't want to waste another 4 hours trying to get the damn timing right. It is a PITA but it is doable so if you are desperate, go for it.

[morris400]

Local shop jus steeped up and loaned me there's . I'll be good now.

[00SantorinS4]

They are very easy to break so just be careful how hard you wrench down on the tool. You can pretty much see when you are at full tension as the chain/assembly wont lift up too much more with each turn.

[morris400]

They are very easy to break so just be careful how hard you wrench down on the tool. You can pretty much see when you are at full tension as the chain/assembly wont lift up too much more with each turn.

As I turn the tensioner will lift correct? I just need enough room to fit new seals.

[The_Auto_Tech]

Yes, tighten it down by hand and slowly. You're pushing on plastic and can break it if you go to fast or tighten it too much.

[morris400]

Ok... Ill b gentle. I don't need to break anything else.

[airjawed]

Can be done without tool. Just have to get lucky with the cam so that the chain is loose and then the half moon and gasket can be replaced. The tensioner just needs to be able to be lifted enough to clear the little dowels/pins.

More importantly..why did your half moons blow out in the first place?

[morris400]

I think it was my Pcv setup. I installed a catch can and deleted the f hose but kept the pancake valve on the y pipe.

[zillarob]

Are you going to pop the tbelt to do it?

[Das General]

I did it without the tool. Not that bad. I just loosened the tensioner enough to lift it and slide the half moon and seal in there.

[morris400]

Do I need to use silicone with the tensioner seals and half moons. Or just slide them in? I just pulled the pass side vc off and the vc gasket is in awesome shape, no leaks... Just the tensioner and half moon look bad. The Pcv system which was installed 2 weeks ago was really bad, extremely clogged.

[airjawed]

No silicone needed anywhere in theory. Half moon does not need any. The tensioner gasket should have sealant already applied. Sealant should be used when you do metal on metal. So, that means if you had seperated the double cam bearing caps then you would have put some there and the sealant would also end up in the 'corners' that everyone talks about. Since most people don't open up the end caps they just end up putting a little sealant in the corners for the VCG itself.

Do not overtighten the valve cover...only takes something like 7-9 ftlbs. Also clean off all surfaces first. Then when you do start the car do not get on the boost at all!!! Allow the engine to heat cycle completely for a proper seal.

[The_Auto_Tech]

If you're doing all 5 seals (which you should), then yes, you need sealant. The half moon and chain tensioner gasket do not need sealant, chain tensioner already has some built into the gasket and the half moon is rubber. The cam plug cap should have green flange sealant on the flat spots. The bridge that covers the two radial seals also requires green flange sealant on the flat spots. I would highly suggest using the "old" red double-lipped radial seals that have the spring. They are MUCH easier to install and less susceptible to leaks. You will need to put white sealant at the corners of the cam chain tensioner, cam plug cap, and cam seal bridge otherwise you'll have leaks. I would install new valve cover gasket sets as well, they get compressed when you tighten down the valve cover.

[morris400]

I did the cam half moon and tensioner gasket as well. And valve covers will come Sunday. Cam caps are still good and not leaking. Working on Dvr side now...said fuck it for tonight. I dropped a hose clamp down by the Dvr side diverted valve...can't find it. I'll try again Sunday.