I changed the optispark and now it seems to be leaking from somewhere around the optispark. I don't think it would be the waterpump but I will not know until I pull it all apart again. I am going to get some of the new o rings that go on the optispark, but how do I know if the seals are good?????????????

I am thinking it is the o-rings because they had some pebbles under them and I scrapped the o-rings to get it off until the blue coat on them came off. Was the blue coat on their for any reason?

 

I help you all as best I can .

 

Is it leaking oil or coolant?

You do wanna make sure you don't damage the o-rings when you slide the opti on... it's a tight squeeze. I usually put a drop of motor oil to help it slide on.

If it's leaking coolant, did you make sure the water pump gasket surfaces were shiny clean before installation?

There are various spots for oil leaks on the timing cover, but most of that stuff doesn't get touched during opti replacement.

 

The o-rings won't be the cause an oil leak, since they are behind the other round seal for the opti drive.

 

So what I need to do then is replace the optispark seal inside the timing cover?? By doing that don't I need to replace all the seals inside the timing cover??

I folow the guide to change the optispark, but I have not messed around with seals at all. Hell I don't even know what a seal looks like. How would I do it more or less???

 

Are these all the parts I am going to need? I found the part numbers off of shoebox's page

1995-1997 front cover opti seal 12552428 $3.68
1993-1997 front cover crank seal 10128316 $5.74
1993-1997 front cover water pump seal 10217886 $3.79
1993-1997 front cover gasket 10128293 $2.09

 

You just need the opti seal if that is what is leaking. It is probably the easiest of all the seals to change. The cover does not have to come off.

 

I am doing my opti today, do I need that seal if I dont think its currently leaking? And how do you install it? Using RTV or something? Thanks

-Dustin-

 

Shoebox or anybody that knows...How do I change the seal though? Again I have no knowledge or experience with working on seals. I don't even know exactly where it is.

Their is where the dowel is that connects the optispark to the camshaft right, well is it behing the timing cover between the opti and the camshaft???

I really appreciate the help...hell I will even send you a moneyorder for your help if I can get it.

 

The seal is right on the front. I edited the link I posted before. Look at the pic again. You just pry the seal outward (use a seal puller or even just a screwdriver) and install the new seal dry. When you put the seal on, you must drive it on flat, so that it does not bend. If you bend it, the seal will be no good. The seal will bottom out in the cover when it is fully on.

[edit] I take PayPal.

Bersaglieri, it is up to you as to how confident you are about the seal. If you have a lot of miles, it would be good preventative maintenance to replace it.

 

I just thought of something... I don't even remember the rubber being around the metal ring!?!?!? I am going to pull it apart saturday so I will let you know.

I think I get it now.

So Pull off the old seal with a screw driver, should pop out. Or use a seal puller(not likely unless it is a cheap tool).

Then put the new seal on their DRY and make sure to not bend the seal or twist it. It should look like a perfect circle, right.

Is their any way to put the seal on , maybe using a piece of wood to place over it flat to push it in???

For $7 I think I will buy a couple of opti seals just in case too. It should/

 

A seal puller looks like this, but may be too long to fit in there. You hook it under the lip of the metal of the seal and then pull back to pry it out.

 

sounds to me like a screwdriver will work perfect. Any idea's for how to get the seal in their though. Just push it in or am I going to have to fight it.

 

You will need to tap it in flat, with a block of wood or piece of pipe the same or slightly smaller diameter as the outside of the seal. Line it up and take it slow, so it will go on as straight as possible. Just don't bend it. Of course, they make a tool called a seal installer that you could use, too.

 

wait a minute, I would think you would use a block of wood Bigget than the seal!?!?! Aren't I going to lay the wood flat over the metal part of the seal and tap it in straight?? I would think if it is smaller I would damage the rubber??

I am definatly going to have to paypal you for your help.