I set the valves and "while there" changed the timing belts Now one camshaft seal at the belt end is leaking When I replace these seals...would you change to yet another new belt...the current belt has 30 minutes running time max on it!
The belt costs less than $20. AFAIK its common knowledge that you never re-use/re-tension them. I would buy a new belt and sleep at night if it were me.
Are you sure the seal is bad? Maybe you can pull the cover, carefully and thoroughly clean it all up, and very carefully address the seal where it meets the head-cover junction. Then you wouldn't touch the belt tension. Let me guess - it's the left (Front) bank? Even more fun. I've spilled motor oil on the belts and changed them for that. Was none too happy about it, but I felt better having done it. If you've got it apart, I'd vote to NOT re-use the belt, even if it was mounted and run 10 minutes. The re-tensioning part just sounds creepy on this highly debated component. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
It is very common to change the valve cover gaskets, not touch the seals and have them immediately leak. It is really a crap shoot and you take your chances of having to do it again. I recommend changing the seals when you are doing a belt, because 90% of your labor is done. A real mechanic would not guarantee this job unless he also does the seal.
