Cam Adjuster Seals

[TJR178]

Hi All,

I picked up my car from the dealership this past week for an inspection and they're telling me my cam adjuster seals are leaking (I told them I was smelling burnt oil).

I currently have 67k on the car and they told me that I could get through to my 90k service. Well, I want to do my own service from now on and I'd like to replace the seals myself. So, is the process for replacing these seals tough?

I appreciate your help!

[Beemer832]

there are two seals on the v6 engine. driver side its on the rear of the engine, passenger side its on the front of the engine. I amnot 100% sure on the v6's but some of the new 1.8ts have an electronically driven tensioner compared to the hydraulic tensioner. both of the ones ive replaced are hydraulic, so i am going along those guide lines.

you first need to remove both valve covers. YES they are a pain in the ass to remove because of the fuel rails and vaccum lines. once they are off, make sure you keep all dirt and grime out of the heads, you can place a rag or cardboard over the area to keep clean.

now you need to remove the 3 or 4 torx bolts holding the tensioner down. there is a writeup on AW which goes into more detail.. i believe you will also need the compressor tool which compresses the tensioner before you unbolt it from the head. anyways, once its been compressed and the bolts almost all backed out, you should have just enough room to wiggle the old seal out and put the new one in.

its not that ahrd of a job, just takes some patience and careful placelement.

GOOD LUCK
-josh

[TJR178]

Awesome. I'll check AW. Thanks Josh!