Drippy cam seal

[kyleconstantine]

After finally getting my head gasket leak settled, I've found another leak. My new cam seal is dripping just a little bit. It was new in March when I put the engine in and I changed it again once when I had the head off to do the head gasket. My head gasket was pouring oil and I have it straightened out but I get the slightest drips from the new cam seal. It seems to be coming from where the actual cam touches the seal. If I'm understanding correctly the cam spins inside the stationary seal. What makes this seal work? Is there any tips or tricks to get this to seal better?

Obviously I can't use rtv or anything similar as the cam would just rip it out as it spins. I stole a pic from another thread since I didn't take any pics. Mine is leaking like this just not as bad.

[Panici]

What brand of seal did you use?
Is there any marking/visible line you can see or feel on the cam where the seal contacts?


Not sure about this specific application, but often you can press the seal in a little shallower or deeper to get it riding on a different part of the machined surface.

[kyleconstantine]

I ordered an oem bmw seal for this attempt. Last one was from a top end gasket kit. And thanks I'll fell around the cam. The procedure I followed said to fully seat the seal in the carrier but I'll check for wear on the cam.

[82eye]

I ordered an oem bmw seal for this attempt. Last one was from a top end gasket kit. And thanks I'll fell around the cam. The procedure I followed said to fully seat the seal in the carrier but I'll check for wear on the cam.

sometimes a fine grit emery cloth will take out a mild groove in the in cam end. it can only do so much though. it comes in grits finer than a wet / dry sand paper.

[kyleconstantine]

Thank you. It seems like the cam is likely the culprit and I'll get my hands on some emery cloth.

[digger]

Adjust the axial position of the seal in the housing to allow the seal lip to mate with an unmolested part of the cam. Also lubricate the cam and seal well to help it slip over the cam as bmw did a poor job of chamfering to the specs the seal manufacturers recommend. If the lip gets nicked it will leak but usually it’s a bad leak

[kyleconstantine]

So I finally got around to doing the seal again. Opon inspection the cam had some surface rust spots on it that buffed right out with the emery cloth. I think that was my sealing problem. I also adjusted the position of the seal and used anaerobic sealer between the metal surfaces. Finally I have an engine with no leaks. Thanks to everyone.