Valve cover VCT sensor grommet leak
#1
Valve cover VCT sensor grommet leak
I recently replaced my valve covers with the Ford Racing “chrome” powder coat covers. Just this last week, I noticed a small oil leak which appears to be coming from the VCT sensor grommet on the driver’s side cam cover. These are the 07-08 style covers with the smaller grommets, not the larger easy to replace ones that came on the 05-06 style covers. Can anyone tell me if the 08 style grommets are available, and if so does the cover need to be removed for replacement?
Tim
Tim
#2
I have an 07 and I noticed a similar leak from a rip in my driver's side VCT sensor seal after I removed the covers for powdercoating. Must've been too forceful when I used a socket to hammer-jam the seal back into the (uninstalled) cover after it came back from the powdercoat shop. I ordered a new seal from one of the discount online Ford parts suppliers. I pulled the torn seal out of the cover and used delicate taps around the outer portion of the new seal to seat into place while the cover was installed on the head. Been almost a year and a few thousand miles, with no problems so far.
#4
Thank you for the information guys, did you have to pull the cover to perform the swap? If not, how did you remove the grommet?
The 05-06 ones look easy and even have tabs for removal, the 07-08 does not look quite that simple.
Tim
The 05-06 ones look easy and even have tabs for removal, the 07-08 does not look quite that simple.
Tim
Last edited by tdbrown75; 08-20-2008 at 08:28 AM.
#6
I wanted to powdercoat my valve covers for my '06 GT and a friend gave me a set off his '08 Bullitt so my car and I didn't suffer any down time, as he ordered the FRPP chrome ones and had them dealer installed I didn't know about the differences between the '05-'06's and '07 and up at the time and didn't find out until I started the install.
The oil seals were already removed when he gave them to me and upon getting them back from the powdercoater discovered whoever removed them must have driven them out with a screw driver as both sides were torn. I ordered new ones from a local Ford dealer, but had to call Ford performance to get the part number. The correct number is
7L1Z-6C535-AA and are about $6.00 each. I would be afraid to try and remove the old one and reinstall the new seal with the cover in place. One bad move and if you ruin the sensor I think you would be in big trouble. I did find that by applying a bit of engine oil on the seal and hole in the cover that the install went easily with a few taps of my hammer on the outer edges of the seal. Remove and replace for one cover should take around 90 minutes. At least it did for me.
The oil seals were already removed when he gave them to me and upon getting them back from the powdercoater discovered whoever removed them must have driven them out with a screw driver as both sides were torn. I ordered new ones from a local Ford dealer, but had to call Ford performance to get the part number. The correct number is
7L1Z-6C535-AA and are about $6.00 each. I would be afraid to try and remove the old one and reinstall the new seal with the cover in place. One bad move and if you ruin the sensor I think you would be in big trouble. I did find that by applying a bit of engine oil on the seal and hole in the cover that the install went easily with a few taps of my hammer on the outer edges of the seal. Remove and replace for one cover should take around 90 minutes. At least it did for me.
Last edited by Blue GT Mustang; 05-23-2010 at 10:36 PM.
#7
Same thing happened to me after I removed my valve covers and put them back on. I really don't want to take them back off again, so I was wondering if I could try and put some silicone around the outside of the sensor to stop the oil?
#8
#10
As far as removing the only thing I can think of is using a small screwdriver and try to carefully pry the old one out of the cover. You may also try cutting the seal near the sensor with a razor blade and use a curved pick to pry it up. (Had mine off when I used a large socket to knock mine out when the covers were off)
As far as installing the new ones on the car..... try lubing up the seal and the seat in the cover with a little grease, then some easy taps along the edge with a small hammer and a rag over the cover and the seal. Just go slow and easy and you should be fine.
As far as installing the new ones on the car..... try lubing up the seal and the seat in the cover with a little grease, then some easy taps along the edge with a small hammer and a rag over the cover and the seal. Just go slow and easy and you should be fine.