January 11, 201511 yr 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
January 11, 201511 yr 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.
January 11, 201511 yr 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, 201511 yr by grossgary
January 11, 201511 yr 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.
January 11, 201511 yr 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.
January 11, 201511 yr Author 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, 201511 yr by danielzink
August 24, 20169 yr 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, 20169 yr by grossgary
August 24, 20169 yr 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.
August 24, 20169 yr 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.
August 24, 20169 yr Thanks for the heads up though, I'm sure i'll see this again and go with plug next time.
February 10, 20179 yr Did the RTV fix the leak? I see no way to get any leverage to replace the cap with the engine in.
February 10, 20179 yr 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.
February 10, 20179 yr 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.
October 20, 20178 yr 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.
October 20, 20178 yr 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.
October 20, 20178 yr 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.
October 20, 20178 yr 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???
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