I just replaced the valve cover gasket on my 98 Montero 3.0 110K mi. after noticing a small oil leak just under the pass side valve cover but it still leaks right onto the exhaust manifold. I read on another thread that it could be the rear cam o-ring seal or possibly a oil sending unit? Where are these located and how hard is it to get to? Thanks

Not sure if the 98 is the same as my 91 or not... On mine, the cam plugs are at the back of the head, can't really see them, but you can feel them. Oil sender is lower passenger side front of the engine, below the oil filter. HTH

If it's a 98 it must be 3.5 SOHC like mine, but the cam plugs are still back there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

If the '98 heads and valve covers are similar to the Gen1s, there is a half-round hump at the front and rear of the head which forms the bearing block for the SOHC. It is necessary to put a bead of RTV in the corners between the flat portion of the head and the beginning of the semi-circular cam block...... 1/2" in each direction from the corners. Failure to do so will result in leaks.

Frank

It could be a Sport with a 3.0L.

I thought he was referring to the cam plugs, not the half moons on the valve cover. I'm looking at the valve cover gasket for a 3.0 Sport, and it doesn't come with the half moons, but it also doesn't look anything like the gasket for my truck. It's a rubber one-piece for each side with spark plug tube seals. I also don't have a listing for the cam plugs thru Fel-Pro.

Since Im not familiar with cam plugs, are these something you can replace easily or are they hard to get to? Thanks for all the responses

I, personally, haven't done these on my truck, so I can't say. You might try a search. Type in "cam plug" (be sure to use the quotes), and see what comes up. The search function on here is a bit testy at times, but play with it and you'll get the hang of it.


I'm sure to get hassled over that last line <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I had a leak at the rear cam plug (note that this is on an '89 3.0), which I found by using one of those dentist's mirrors. Very handy little gizmo's. To replace the plug you have to slightly loosen the bolts holding the cam bearing caps (do it in the order suggested by the manual) and the plug will slip right out. Reverse is just tightening the cap bolts in order to the correct torque. Not hard once you get the valve cover off.

on my 93 3.0 i had a leak that lasted forever that leaked from the valve cover...i finally took the time to look at it and realized the camshaft seal that looks like a thick rubber washer with ribbs on the outside must be in perfect shape otherwise itll leak bad and drip down the the plastic timing belt cover onto the exhaust manifold


first you remove the plastic timing belt cover that goes over the camshaft crank then remove the camshaft crank with our losing the allignment other wise when you put it back together your trucks timing will ba all screwed up...so get a white out pen or something and clearly mark it...when you remove the crank be sure to keep the belt taught to make sure the crank shaft and other camshaft dont lose their timing either...then using a pick tool pry the old o ring out...yes your going to mess it up but do not scratch the any of the metal surrounding it then with some persuasion push the new one in without screwing it up...use a little oil to help squish it in place and put erverything else back together

Welcome! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> I'm delighted that we now have someone on the forum that knows everything there is to know about Monteros. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You might want to add the following information to your knowledge bank:

1) The camshaft "crank" is usually called a "sprocket".

2) You don't need a white-out marking pen if you use the timing marks on the camshaft sprocket.

3) It's usually a lot easier to remove/replace the cam sprocket and re-time the engine if you first loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt and remove the spring.

It sounds like you've done quite a bit of work to your truck!

Frank <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />