Symptoms of a bad or faulty camshaft seal
Visible signs of oil leakage and smoke coming from the engine compartment may indicate a failed camshaft seal.
The camshaft oil seal is a round oil seal located in the cylinder head. It is responsible for sealing the end of the engine's camshaft or camshafts between the top of the cylinder head and the valve cover gasket. Camshaft oil seals are usually made from durable rubber materials, allowing them to have a long service life. However, over time, these seals can wear out and leak oil. Any engine oil leak is harmful to the engine, as the oil protects the engine's metallic internal components from friction. Usually, a bad or faulty camshaft seal causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a problem and need service.
Visible signs of an oil leak
The most obvious sign of a camshaft seal problem is visible oil leakage. The camshaft seals are usually located on top of the cylinder head towards the rear of the engine and next to the firewall. When they start to leak, there are usually traces of oil on the back of the engine right under the valve cover, which can sometimes leak to the edges or corners of the engine.
Smoke from the engine compartment
Another common sign of a bad camshaft seal is smoke coming from the engine bay. If oil leaking from the camshaft seal enters a hot exhaust manifold or pipe, it will burn on contact with smoke or smoke smell. The amount of smoke and the intensity of the smell will depend on the severity of the oil leak. Small leaks can result in faint streaks of smoke, while large leaks can produce clear marks.
A faulty camshaft seal may not directly or directly affect engine performance, however it can affect reliability as any oil leakage is a violation of engine lubrication. If your vehicle exhibits any of the above symptoms, or if you suspect a camshaft oil seal is leaking, have a professional technician, such as a technician from AvtoTachki, have your vehicle inspected to determine if your vehicle needs a camshaft oil seal replacement.
