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Hey guys,

Im going to start my timing belt and water pump change very soon, and I just wanted to know if it is worth it to change the cam, and crank seals? It makes sense as it would only take a few minutes extra to do, but I am just a bit worried about disturbing the seals that are in there now. As I don't want to pull the seals out, and then have the new seals not seat correctly and leak...

anyone have any tips when changing the seals?

cheers
Ryan

Hey Ryan.

I have done three timing belt changes so far. I changed the cam seal during each, but after having issues with the crank seal during the first two changes I choose not to do it during the last change. It wasn't leaking then and it is not leaking now.

Here is a link to the miata.net garage page on the timiming belt change.

http://www.miata.net/garage/timingbelt.html

J

Thanks Juffa, I have printed out all of that info, I also have the Miata Shop Manual, and the MX-5 Performance projects books to follow. I think I might leave the crank seal, and just do the cam seals. The crank seal in there now is fine, and I really don't want to stuff things up..

I changed cam and crank seals when I did my timing belt, with a seal puller they are easy to get out. I didn't have any problems after changing the seals. Make sure you put a bit of oil on the seals so they slip over the shafts. If you need a seal puller you are welcome to borrow mine.

Thanks for the offer Fattima, but my old man has one. I have started doing the belt change though, the old rad is out and the new 52mm one is ready to go in. The engine is ready to go tomorrow morning with the belt change, everything has been taken off, cam cover, coils, front belts and pulleys, I just need to crack the 21mm crank bolt and get started... I have been taking some pics as I go, soo ill post some up when im done.

Well, I have finished doing the timing belt...The car started first time and runs spot on, timing is perfect and there are no leaks

I also did the water pump, cam seals, thermostat, TB tensioners, kevlar radiator pipes, gaskets, and new rad. I inspected the crank seal and it looked to be in very good nick, soo I didn't tamper with it. The job has taken me most of the day to do, as it was the first time I have ever done a timing belt. It actually wasn't hard at all, just time consuming.

Here are some pics..

Pulling out bits, rad, air intake etc.


Old rad, compared to new one.


Setting everything to TDC, and marking before removing old belt.


Cam pulleys, belt, and water pump off, new seals in.


New timing belt is on, also new water pump, and new tensioners.. everything all lined up and marked.


More bits back on, crank pulley, water pump pulley, lower covers etc.


Belt covers back on, along with new radiator hoses, and alternator belt.


Everything back together and finished. Resonance chamber had to go due to the rad, tape is just a temp fix..

nice job....

Agreed, saved yourself roughly $600 right?

Can you get timing belt and water pump replaced for $600 and where?

That is quite inpirational, but with p/s and a/c in the mix, outta my legue...i hope theres a G/C dodgy day soon!

I just Did Belt ,Waterpump, seals including crankshaft,cam and cas seal, tensioners and Na8 front brakes. Total cost including all parts. $1,000. and thats with a short nose crank as well. It took over an hour to get the crank pulley off, as it had been put on with locktite. Richard had to make a special puller to get it off. I had it done by MX5 Plus, Tim (zoom zoom ) did the work. I was totally pleased with the job that was done and the price i was charged. In fact after Tim had reset the timing ,the car has never gone better. I could have done the work myself, but seeing the crank seal was leaking and it is a short nose motor I wanted some one that knew what they were doing to work on it.