Hi there, have an 01 s40 with 155k miles. One of the spark plug wells is full of oil. Recently replaced pvc system and oil cap seal. So it must be a bad o-ring. Have to replace the vvt cam gear, and was going to replace valve cover O-rings as well. Timing belt and water pump were replaced at 120k miles by previous owner, unfortunately the vvt was over looked. Has any one done this before? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

 

I believe you have to pull the entire cam cover to get to them. Since the cams are under tension from the valve springs and the cam cover is thin aluminum, you have to be very careful that you release the many bolts evenly as to not crack the cam cover. The Haynes manual showed a tool made out of all-thread welded to a hollowed out and threaded spark plug end. I made this tool and used it to keep even pressure across the cam cover as I unbolted it.

The strange thing for me was that I found no gasket or sealant between the cam cover and head. The 4 thin o-rings for the spark plug wells were easy to replace once the cam cover was removed but now you have to decide if you want to use RTV when you put it back together. I did not figuring it might lift the cam cover ever so slightly and affect the clearance for the cams plus it didn't have any from the factory. I did experience oil seepage though. Probably should have used RTV. Oh well.

 

 

Thanks Hudini for your input and pics. I just purchased that tool along with cam and crank lock from IPD. Sounds like RTV sealant is a good idea. Have you ever replaced the valve stem seals with out removing the head? Seems to make sense to change them out as i'm right there. Believe all I'll need is an air adapter for the spark plug hole and a spring compressor. Thanks again for your reply!

 

I had the head removed when I replaced my valve stem seals since I also replaced the exhaust valves, Just keep your valve tappets in order as they adjust the clearance to the cam lobe.

 

Will do , thanks!

 

So hears the latest...finally got started on this project this afternoon. Got the timing belt cover off and it looks like the VVT gear and solenoid were replaced with the timing belt after all! Looks almost like the new one I just bought and there's a noticeable difference compared with the intake gear; also didn't look like any oil leaking was from it. Thing is,I was hearing the clicking noise that they supposedly make when going bad. The CEL has been on for the for the exhaust timing retarded code. Tried oil flushes to no avail. Is it possible that the VVT gear could be bad and not leak oil? Or, could it be a blocked oil passage? If so, how do I clean it out? Thanks!

 

yes the VVT can build up tarnish and stick/clog. you can search the board for some threads with pics.

 

Thanks