Hey Guys! I need some advice here! I'm getting ready to pull the cam covers to fix a leak on the front bank and also to change the cam seals. This is looking like its really going to be a pain in the butt, I'm trying to clean the covers and below them so when they do come off I don't end up with alot of old oil and road grime in my cam assm. This is proving to be nearly impossible given the area and the way the plug wires are strung and mounted in the way. Even unbolting the wires looks like a P.I.T.A. any advice or method used would be appreciated. Kim
Just removing the cam covers will not cut it to replace the cam seals. That will be an easy part of the job and though I've never worked on the qv the cam cover on the 308 is relatively straight forward. But to replace seals...cams or pulleys must be removed and in either case tbelts, covers etc must come off. Good luck. There is a whole process described on some threads here so do a search and you'll find some very good instructions.
Blaine Hello! I'm doing the t- belts and tensioners also. Have everything tore down at this point and the whole process has generally went very smoothly, but trying to clean all the dried on oil on the bottom of the covers where they seal to the heads is where my problems start, I don't want to just unbolt the cover then pull it off and watch as all the crap falls into my cams and oil ports. Does anyone have a method of doing this? I should point out that I have not removed the rear deck lid to do this, is it that big of deal? or does it make the process really easy as you can't see down into the front cover and the whole process is going to be by "feel" insted of sight. OR- am I making way to much of this. Also I have looked for 2-days at prior posts and cannot find any addressing this issue.
Removing the engine lid make working on the front back much easier. There are threads on how to do this - be sure to mark the hinge positions, use lots of blankets to project the paint, and it's best to have 3 people -2 holding the lid and 1 unbolting it. The lid is heavier than you think. Once you can get in there, I think your cleaing process will be much easier. It's good to be able to see what your doing.
As an aid in pre-cleaning or cleaning up in tough to reach areas I have had good luck with QD aeresol electronic contact cleaner. http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(j00xhs450pjsr2ychlsei3rz)/productdetails.aspx?sku=80882&source=GoogleBase Home depot has it, Autozone has a better price I think. It's expensive to use as a cleaning agent ($5-6 bucks a can) but it works great, evaporates fast, and won't melt the silicone plug wires and boots, or screw up painted parts like brakekleen or carb cleaner will. Be careful though, it is flammable.
Thanks for the advice guys, I'll get a few friends and pull the decklid tomorrow and also try the cleaner!
