I have an MGF early Mk 1 which I bought recently. It is an MoT failure on emissions and an advisory of an oil leak. The leak is quite excessive and I have found today that it is coming out of the rear camshaft cover plate next to the distributor. It appears that someone previously make have put sealant round the plate but from what I have read, this probably shouldn't be doing the sealing.
Therefore, does this mean that the camshaft oil seal itself has gone, and if so, can this be changed quite easily, i.e. without any special tools? Are do I have a more serious problem, e.g. camshaft?
That's spot on, yes, mine is straightforward to get to, wasn't too sure what was under the plate. And your post has confirmed that the cover plate is exactly that and not something that should be doing the 'sealing'. Just need to get the seal now!
I had exactly the same leak not too long ago from one of my cam seals. Fortunately then it was the 'easy' end and was fixed quickly. It now seems I am in the same boat again, but this time it seems to be coming from the timing belt end as when I get the car out of the garage, there are quite a lot of drops immediately below that area. I must get it seen to really.........don't have the tools or skills to do it myself though.
Yea, that's my fault, probably my bad way of explaining things.....what I really meant to say was that it is on the same end as the dizzy but on the other (opposite//??**) camshaft end.
Clear as mud ?? Sorry
Thanks for the link......very interesting. Unfortunately, on checking, this seal appears to be flush in its seating and nothing to hook onto. I initially asked because the manual referred to a BL special tool......but then again, thats the norm
As David says (and as pictured in my blog) no special tool required. Insert two self tapping screws in the seal and pull out. No need to drill pilot holes with self tappers.
Again, my mistake, my post #8 was actually meant for the kind user who posted a link to a seal remover tool......I noted your instructions with the 2 self tappers.
Hopefully get the seals on order tomorrow :smile:
Thanks again everyone
Just an update to say that I received the seal today and it is fitted, in fact, it was a doddle. Although I have to say that the bodge was just incredible...Not only did the plate have a silicone bead for a gasket, someone had also created a silicone ring on the inside of the cover plate to hold the oil seal in !!! So the seal just fell out, I didn't need to prod or screw it or anything. At least it was black in colour which may mean that it was an original and someone couldn't get a replacement at the time.....but for how long I do not know and the seller didn't give me the impression that it would have been something he would have done.
Anyway, thats fixed, next, clean up the rear brakes having there being an advisory on handbrake imbalance, and emissions!!
Thanks again for everyone's help and advice, most invaluable
It's amazing the lengths that some people will go to to save a couple of pounds All that faf of using sealant when a £3 seal was all that was needed. At least it made it easier for you to remove the old seal.
Pleased you have got it sorted without problems.
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