danielzink Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Okay... I'm diving into this re-seal project. I've done a search but not coming up with anything.. On the drivers side rear of the head - there's a big black metal cam plug. How in the world do you remove...and replace it ? Thanks, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 What engine are you working on? As far as I know there's nothing to service or re-seal at the rear of the left (driver's side) head on an EJ engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) is it leaking? leave it alone. i've never seen or heard of those black plugs leaking or being replaced or sold. if it's the half moons, then those come apart as the valve covers/heads are disassembled. those are just tapped out, covered with sealant. Edited January 11, 2015 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I see them leak all the time. I tend to drill a small hole in it and thread a small slide hammer into it and pop it out. Seen other guys tap a screwdriver through it near the edge and pry but you would want to be careful as to not score the aluminum or cam shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I've replaced several of them that were leaking. I drive a flat head screw driver into the side of the hump in the middle to pry them out. Use a large socket to drive the new seal in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielzink Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) 1990 EJ22 Yes. Mine is leaking. Thanks Caboobaroo and Su bah - I ordered a couple off the 'bay. Will get it installed this weekend. I have a slide hammer so I'll try that first. Dan Edited January 11, 2015 by danielzink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 (edited) I've replaced several of them that were leaking. I drive a flat head screw driver into the side of the hump in the middle to pry them out. Use a large socket to drive the new seal in. I have a 1999 Phase II with the "bolt-less" cam plug leaking on the passengers side - you're saying you can pull them out externally and tap a new one in place? Do you use sealant or install clean? I see everyone says pop it out and press it back in - is it basically as simple as a regular cam seal? Someone else said they just cleaned it with brake cleaner and pressed a bead of sealant down the groove all the way around the circumference. http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/85897-cam-plug-leaking.html Edited August 24, 2016 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Yeah it's the same idea as a cam seal, except the middle isn't open. I don't use any sealant. I wipe the outer edge with clean engine oil or grease and push it in. There is a drain hole for the cam bearing, and you don't want to get that plugged up with sealant. RTV on the outside could be a good fix if you can get it clean enough, as it is tricky to get to with the engine in the car. I figure if the original lasts 200k miles the replacement will last the rest of the life of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 I hit it with cleaner/compressed air/cleaning and then RTV'ed it. Only because I didn't want some debacle where it doesn't come out or new one doesn't seal right. Got nothing to loose - if this doesn't get it, I'll get a new plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Thanks for the heads up though, I'm sure i'll see this again and go with plug next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Did the RTV fix the leak? I see no way to get any leverage to replace the cap with the engine in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdeadeye1 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 This^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Did the RTV fix the leak? I see no way to get any leverage to replace the cap with the engine in. Yep. The one I did is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I've replaced several of them that were leaking. I drive a flat head screw driver into the side of the hump in the middle to pry them out. Use a large socket to drive the new seal in. Exactly ! No need to worry , just take your time and you'll get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 With the engine in? I see no way to swing a ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 remove the main intake hose and under there you'll find some space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthefrey Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) deleted... Edited October 20, 2017 by inthefrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 The plug is driven in too far and is blocking the oil drain hole at the bottom of the journal. The only reason those plugs pop out is the oil drain hole is blocked and oil pressure builds behind the plug and forces it out. This can either be from the plug being driven in too far or from excess sealant used on the cam carrier plate seam that squeezed into the drain and blocked it. In rare cases heavy sludge formation blocks the drain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthefrey Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) deleted... Edited October 20, 2017 by inthefrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Hi and thanks! There is no indication in the service manual how far to seat this plug. I see 2 holes - one at 9 and the other at 4. Both are clear. Is there another one at the bottom? The Diver-side is seated the same and has no problem. I see this is a common problem. Should the lower step of the ring be flush with the face of the hole? THANKS! flush or just below. That's how all seals and plugs on subarus are. Many seals are prone to being over driven. espscially important for rear main, and Cam seals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthefrey Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) deleted... Edited October 20, 2017 by inthefrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 No the special tool hits the head before the plug is pushed in too deep. The outer face of the plug should be flush with the bottom of the indent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Okay great! So, I'll probably relax the bracket a little I placed on it. The plugs are rather cheap from Pep Boys but the fear of losing all of your oil out of this plug (when it pops out) in less that the time it takes me to write this reply is rather frightening... Thanks again! have to say I've never ever seen one come out. A few leakers, but never one that just comes out completely. that's a new one. Maybe those PepBoys plugs are not so good a fit eh??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthefrey Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) deleted... Edited October 20, 2017 by inthefrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthefrey Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) deleted... Edited October 20, 2017 by inthefrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now