2003 Montero rear cam seal question

[1morebike]

I have been smelling burning oil and through my research I'm thinking the rear cam seal but can't find if it really is a problem with the 3.8 second question is in reality how hard is it for someone who has some mechanical ability.

 

[nckwltn]

There should only be a rear cam seal on the passenger side... the driver's side has some sensor things in the hole.

I ordered what I thought was the correct seal for my 03, but then realized it was the wrong one... so I kept the existing o-ring in place and lathered up the face of the surfaces with a thin layer of high temp RTV sealant on it and put it back together. That was 2+ years and probably 30k miles ago.... still bone dry.

the work for the 3.8 is the same as the 3.5. Two bolts (probably 12mm), and the cover comes off. Installation is reverse of removal.

 

[Gibby92]

Can't the driver side leak as well? I'm looking at doing this fix in the next few weeks. Passenger side looks easy enough to get at but I can't even see the one on the driver's side.

 

[MrGalantguy]

Only had to replace the passenger side on my wifes Gen3 a couple years ago. If you have smaller hands it would be that bad of a job...but my hands aren't small and it was a little tough to work on the very tight area.

I suggest not doing the job if you are pissed at the world....because this will stress you out a bit more.

 

[1morebike]

Well I finally did the passenger side cam seal today. The seal was under $5.00 at the dealer and took me all of 15min and most of that was looking for 12mm socket. It's sooooo nice to not smell burning oil.