3mz-fe catastrophic new cam seal failure

[Trav]

The ones I have used all came with the installation tool already in the seal. Clean the shaft with brake cleaner and a clean lint free microfiber cloth, put tool on the shaft and push the seal over the tool, seat the seal and pull the tool out.
Do not remove the guide tool from the seal prior to installing it for a look see, never lube the seal and do not touch the PTFE part of the seal. Wash hands before messing with these seals, cleanliness and handling with care is everything. I recently did the timing chains on my own car and replaced this RMS because I was in there already (timing chains in the rear of the engine), replacing it again if it leaked would require removing the engine/trans again. The white ring is the install tool part.

 

[D60]

The ones I have used all came with the installation tool already in the seal. Clean the shaft with brake cleaner and a clean lint free microfiber cloth, put tool on the shaft and push the seal over the tool, seat the seal and pull the tool out.
Do not remove the guide tool from the seal prior to installing it for a look see, never lube the seal and do not touch the PTFE part of the seal. Wash hands before messing with these seals, cleanliness and handling with care is everything. I recently did the timing chains on my own car and replaced this RMS because I was in there already (timing chains in the rear of the engine), replacing it again if it leaked would require removing the engine/trans again. The white ring is the install tool part.

View attachment 290458

Is this much ado about.....something? ie is the PTFE superior in life span or other attributes in practice?

 

[mattd]

Rolled it on installation.

 

[Trav]

Is this much ado about.....something? ie is the PTFE superior in life span or other attributes in practice?

They are superior to normal seals that use a tension spring, the PTFE acts as a lubricant, has low tension so it causes no wear to the shaft (this is one of the biggest benefits) that can cause leaks as they age, the PTFE seals do not age and are resistant to almost all chemicals as well as temp extremes (IIRC -almost -350f to +500f).
The issues with PTFE seals are installation error or using the wrong seal which is very common. You may see regular seals along with the PTFE being offered for the same engine.

On euro cars this is where the fun can begin, not only are there transition years but model year in Europe begins 1/1/xxxx in the USA anything after 9/1/xxxx is considered the next year. You can replace PTFE with regular seal without issue but not a regular with PTFE, if unsure go with the regular one, if it has a PTFE then go with the same.

 

[kschachn]

But this isn’t a PTFE seal, right? Assuming that, then if it was installed without lubrication, then it was installed improperly.

 

[Trav]

The one the OP has is a regular seal not PTFE.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

WOW !! Did I get lucky ! ( Feel terrible for you Kurtatron....all that work to do it over )....Anyway, did a timing case crankshaft gasket on an 03' - Toyota 2AZ-FE engine. Ripped the old one out with a screwdriver, ( really marred up the mating surfaces too ), then dunked the whole seal in dielectric silicone, smeared it in and around the gasket good, then took a small hammer and slowly tapped it in. Put the harmonic balancer back on, then the belt, and started it right up. No more leak. I feel so bad for you. Looks like you did everything PERFECTLY,,,,,,,and her I am working like a neanderthal on basically the same thing,

 

[kschachn]

WOW !! Did I get lucky ! ( Feel terrible for you Kurtatron....all that work to do it over )....Anyway, did a timing case crankshaft gasket on an 03' - Toyota 2AZ-FE engine. Ripped the old one out with a screwdriver, ( really marred up the mating surfaces too ), then dunked the whole seal in dielectric silicone, smeared it in and around the gasket good, then took a small hammer and slowly tapped it in. Put the harmonic balancer back on, then the belt, and started it right up. No more leak. I feel so bad for you. Looks like you did everything PERFECTLY,,,,,,,and her I am working like a neanderthal on basically the same thing,

You’re quite a mechanic.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Hey, when you're workin in the street, and cars are whizzin past you, you learn to get the job done ASAP before you get killed. A little back story here for all my HYSTERICAL BITOG buddies here. On the weekends, I had a job taking care of 25 delivery cars for 3 pharmacies. Trying to save $$$ to buy a house. Did the local utility company during the week, and the cars on the weekend. I was still living at home, 17yrs old. One rainy weekend day, my old man comes out of the house, and demanded $50 per car to use his " driveway" to do my side job work, ( off the books mind you...good money ). So, I looked at him and said " I'm trying my best to get out of you're house and you're precious garage that you don't use, now you want $50 bucks a car for driveway usage ?!?! The rent I give you once a month doesn't cover that ?!?!" ( Mind you I'm soaking wet and full of grease )....Let's make a deal, I say. I'll go work out in the street in order to stay off you're driveway, and you remove the $50 dollar shake down. Is it a deal ? He says " Well, being that you're soaking wet, and work 7 days a week, I think I can forget the $50 bucks " I say, thank you so much !!!!! I'll be out of you're hair even faster now. You're THE BEST !!! So, out in the street I go, workin on cars, with other cars flyin past me at 40 mph. Oh, the house was 20' from an intersection also. GO SCRATCH KSCHACHN & D60 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!