18 replies to this topic

[jameslearwood]

1275cc 1993

How the hell to you fit the timing cover seal piccies would be greatly appreciated.

I have both versions off minispares and they both are the same diameter as the whole and will not push in i am doing something wrong so a pic will help clarify.

cheers

[dklawson]

Do you mean that the seal won't fit into the recess of the cover?

Find a flat piece of "something" about the same size as the seal but just slightly larger. Clean the recess in the timing cover to remove any and all traces of oil and filth. Smear a thin film of non-hardening sealer to the OD of the seal. Hylomar should be fine. (This will act as a lube but will thicken a bit unlike oil or grease). Press the seal in (open side towards the engine) using the "flat something" you found that was about the same size as the seal. Place the cover aside for a while to let the non-hardening sealant to thicken.

Do not expect the seal to just drop in. You do have to push and/or use gentle hammer blows with a wooden or rubber mallet against the "flat something".

[jameslearwood]

right cheers yeah im fitting it to the inside, just touched up some paintwork on it so will give that a try once its dried.
jusnt wasnt sure on whether i could lube it and was going for the hammer approach but thought i would check first this time

would RTV be alright?

much obliged

[Spitz]

When refitting.....don't tighten the timing chain cover bolts up until you have fitted the pully.
The cover might be slightly "off" and the seal may not do it's job properly.

[dklawson]

I do not use RTV on seals. RTV may make the seal very hard to remove in the future when you next need to replace it.

Take Spitz' advice on fitting the pulley before tightening the timing cover bolts and tighten the cover bolts slowly and sequentially a little at a time. Failure to do so can easily produce a leak from your new seal.

[jameslearwood]

Righto cheers for the advice will do this tonight

[jameslearwood]

Seriously this does not fit, i have a indent inside the cover and the seal is the exact same size as this, i have tried hammering as suggested and when that didnt work i tried using blocks of wood and pressing it in with a vice. Will not go past this indent?

is it possible i require a different seal?

[dklawson]

Something does not look right, but I do not have a spare A-series timing cover to look at.

Look very carefully at the bore the seal is supposed to sit in. Is there a chance you have the remains of an old seal stuck in the cover and that is preventing the new seal from going down into place?

[tiger99]

That is what I see too. The edge is quite distinct. It shows in front and back views. Plenty of edge visible, so it should be easy to drive it out.

[jameslearwood]

Ah I knew something wasn't right thank god will have a bash at that cheers

[grahama]

I have fitted mine, sorry to hyjack without any hymolar and turning by hand, iy squeeks. Should I take off, smear the inside of the seal on the cam with hymolar and refit??

[tiger99]

NO! Hylomar is a gasket compound,not a lubricant. It would ruin the seal and the crankshaft.

It is only used on the OUTSIDE of the seal to help it seal against the timing cover, and because it is a liquid, it does help lubricate the interface between seal and cover as it is inserted. But it MUST NOT come in contact with moving engine parts, nor must any of the possible alternatives.

The seal lip should be oiled with engine oil, or greased with something like Castrol LM, before fitting the cover, so there is a proper oil-based lubricant between seal and crankshaft.

Same for any other seal, such as the red seal behind the flywheel. That one does not need hylomar, but it does need lubricant on its inner surface.

[jaydee]

Should I take off, smear the inside of the seal on the cam with hymolar and refit??

No, engine oil is what i've used for all those seals.

[jameslearwood]

Glad you did as I didn't know about greasing the seals cheers

[jameslearwood]

Glad you did as I didn't know about greasing the seals cheers