How To: D-Series Cam Seal Replacement

So after finding a small puddle of oil under my car the other morning, I figured I better find out where it’s coming from. After finding my timing belt all greasy and shiny, I pin-pointed it to being the cam seal. So, here’s how to replace one, on a D-Series engine. This was done on a D16Y8, but all D-Series engines will be the same procedures.

Tools Needed: Standard set of Metric socketsRatchetFlat head screw driver

Materials Needed:Cam SealValve Cover Gasket (optional)Distributor O-Ring (optional)

First, loosen the lugs on the driver’s side front wheel. Next, jack the car up, and secure it on jack stands. NEVER work on a car with just a jack holding it up. Finish taking your lugs off, and remove the wheel. The reason for removing the wheel, is to gain access to the crank pulley, so you can set the engine to TDC.

Using your 17mm socket and ratchet, set the engine to TDC. Make sure the white mark on the crank pulley is lined up with the marks on the lower timing cover. Also make sure the "UP" on the cam gear is at 12 o'clock, and the marks on the outer rim of the gear are level with the head.

Remove the plug wires, and either lay them in a way you'll remember which goes where, or number them somehow. Whatever way will make you remember which wire goes to what cylinder. Next, remove the 5 10mm bolts holding the valve cover down.

Remove the distributor by removing the 3 12mm bolts holding it to the head. (No pic of these, sorry).

Next, you'll want to loosen the 12mm bolt holding the cam

gear to the camshaft. You may have to wedge a screw driver between the gear and the head, so when you turn the gear, it binds on the screw driver so you can break the bolt free. Do NOT remove the bolt. Just loosen it a little.

Now you want to start unbolting the rocker assembly. Remove the 10, 12mm bolts, and the 4, 10mm bolts.

As you're removing the rocker assembly bolts, be cautious

that the camshaft doesn’t come flying upwards. The cam should move a little, but nothing that'll cause serious injury. Once all the bolts are removed, you may need to take your flat head screw driver, and pry the assembly up and off the head. Once you get it removed, move the whole assembly aside onto a rag or something of the like.

Now you should be looking at something like this: