mechvette95

Hello all, have a 95 P vin coupe 103k miles. Car has front engine oil leak, and u can smell the oil. I'm doing my own work and I do have service manuals. Taking it apart i found water pump drive shaft seal leak. Such a mess below from oil i can't tell if the seals below are leaking as well. Cleaned it all up and have opti off and balancer.

Question: should I change just the water pump seal and put all back together? or should I change them all out to include all front seals, cover and timing chain while I'm there? Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you
Chuck in El Paso

Kevova

Since you have it apart you can't dye test. If the drive seal is leaking. I would bite the bullet and change all the seals. Oil pan gasket also since it is a one piece. Do it once avoid a pan leak later. There is a chance bearing for water pump drive is worn; contributing to the leak. While it's apart at least cap and rotor.

mechvette95

Should I change the timing chain?

Kevova

If you budget allows, then of course cam change, then tuning ....oh how these projects grow.
Once timing cover is off, you can check chain stretch and decide.

mechvette95

You got me thinking about that water pump drive shaft. Is it hard to change that shaft? I really appreciate ur time thank you.

mechvette95

Dumb question: what's the best way to raise engine to replace can while I'm there?

mechvette95

Meant cam

Kevova

I would not worry about short cuts, just follow the.manual. Take the radiator out and flip a/c condenser out of the way to avoid evac and recharging a/c . Cam change will include valve spring change. I would stick to cam that doesn't require tuning. A4 may require converter a M6 Hot Cam or similar is a good choice.

mechvette95

Ok I'm going to get to work it really helps to bounce stuff off experienced folk who know what there doing. This place is great. I have a hundred questions but I will try to make sure I read the threads first so as not to be asking same questions over and over.

I have no clue on cams or if I should swap it at all..I will read up.

Thank you kindly
Chuck

Mr. Peabody

If you are considering a cam swap (sounds like you are) you might consider looking at the GM LT4 Hot Cam Kit. More knowledgeable folks will advise you that this is an old design and that there are newer and more efficient cam grinds available but ......... the nice thing about the Hot Cam Kit is ...... it comes with components that are all matched to work well together. The kit includes the cam, 1.6 roller rockers, new springs & retainers. The kit has indeed been around for a long time and is a known entity.

If you are considering replacing the timing chain you should also consider replacing the sprockets. My only other suggestion would be to replace the lifters at the same time with LS7 lifters.

I had this done to my 95 A4 60K ago and and still very happy with the results. If yours is an A4, you might want to consider a higher stall TC to maximize the fun quotient.

mechvette95

Thanks very much ...that is a great help if I decide to do it.

mechvette95

Just removed WP shaft seal. It wobbles a little bit up down left right.
Doesn't seem normal to me but I'm a rookie any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Chuck

Kevova

I could not find a specification for drive wear or wiggle. If it wobbles enough to contact cover i would say bearing is worn where it needs replaced. If you change timing set I would change water pump drive. GM sold drive as an assembly. It's possible bearing maybe available through aftermarket.

mechvette95

It's a small wobble but the car has been plagued with a front leak. Service records the seal was replaced and it still leaks. put in shop 3 times still leaks. I'm doing all work myself now and I love it. May be leaking lower but I found oil as soon as I took water pump off. Ok I'll take cover off and take a closer look. I'll let u know if I get stumped which I will. I'll keep reading up on threads.

Thank you
Chuck

3D-Aircrew

I may be that they needed to replace the shaft bearing that if wobbling causes even a good seal to leak.

BLKMAMBA

I did a cam swap on my 93 LT1 Lloyd Elliott will be your best friend for parts selections. with cam you will need a tune. as far as lifting motor to get cam out you just remove 2 nuts underneath and raise about 1"

mechvette95

If it is the bearing can I repair it on body...I hope?

Also, I don't have an engine lift. I read threads on subject but still not sure on best method for oil pan. Manual just says lift the motor up.

Thank you
Chuck

BLKMAMBA

The bearing is in the water pump

mechvette95

Sorry should have been more specific. The water pump drive shaft assembly on the engine.

Kevova

The water pump bearing should cause water pump to leak coolant. The timing cover water pump drive seal failing multiple times either someone doesn't know what to do or bearing for drive is worn out. You will need to pull cover. Not for sure, but if counter weight is up so rods are down pan should slide out.