Toyota cam seals hi mileage 245000 are not leaking at this time never been changed doing timing belt if I change them what steps should I do. Should i install silcone out side of seal? White grease in

I would for high miles. Also would sand cam shaft with fine grit sand paper. 1000 grit.

same job is better to change.

pulling the timing belt on older RAV4 engines is a more difficult task but not impossible.

Do you have some experience with timing belts and or cars in general?

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

The timing cover itself does not seal any oil from leaking. It is just a cover to prevent debris from getting into the timing belt and ruining it.

To find the oil leak you will need to remove the timing cover and inspect the seals behind the cam gear, crank gear, and oil pump drive gear, and the oil pump to block seal. The most common leaks on these are the cam gear.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly
The recommended interval although not posted in the owners manual for the "original" belt is 60,000 miles. There are new replacement OEM / after-market timing belts that you can purchase that have a recommended replacement interval of 90,000 miles. If you are not the original owner and do not know the history of the past engine maintenance, I would at least inspect the installed belt for cracks, traces of oil, missing teeth, and tension. If any of the previouslymentioned problems are noted have the belt replaced. If there is oil on the belt make sure that both the cam and crank shaft seals are replaced when the timing belt is changed. Seals are cheap...!!!! Timing belt changes are expensive and an oil leak will substantially shorten the life of a timing belt.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
"Seasons Greetings"
Kelly

If you haven't had the timing belt replace (60,000 miles is the suggested service intervale) this is an overlap of having the timing belt replaced.
If the timing belt is not due for replacement and its the cam shaft seal that is leaking. Its a pretty easy fix. Remove the top timing belt cover , and the crankshaft sensor wiring you may have to remove the front engine mount . Set #1 piston at TDC, Loosen tensioner w/ spring slip off belt. **Remove sprocket pull out old seal with a sharp pick. Greese and install new seal make sure its flush with its bore . Reistall sprocket. Slide belt over Cam sprocket tighten tensioner. Install cover and mount (if applicable) Check timing marks by turning crank two revolutions.
** If CamSprocket Bolt is difficult to remove then remove valve cover and use a 21mm wrench to hold the Camshaft while you crack off Cam Sprocket Bolt.
You will see the groves on the Camshaft where you can place a wrench to hold the shaft.
After you replaced the seal replace the valve cover gasket ONLY IF YOU HAD TO REMOVE THE COVER TO HOLD THE CAM WHILE REMOVING ITS BOLT.

This is about as major as it gets.

Hi,

That engine will leak oil from

- cam cover gaskets (rear one drips on the exhaust)
- camshaft end seals
- distributor shaft o-ring (appears on top of transaxle housing)
- oil filter bracket to block o-ring seal (drips on front bank exhaust)
- crankshaft nose oil seal (have done with timing belt change)
- rear main seal (expensive, leave it be)

More than likely it would be the front seals, oil pump front shaft seal and gasket ( "o" ring), Cam seal, crank seal one of those. Have to remove timing belt in order to change these seals. I would change out all the seals and put a new timing belt on it. Depending on how many miles you have on your car I would consider a water pump as well because the timing belt also needs to be removed to replace this part. In other words... Costly repair, but instead of replacing the seals and solving the leak and then 2 weeks later the timing belt snaps, then you just paid twice for the labor. Check oil pan gasket first b4 you spend money on seals.

your owners service manual should tell you , most cars and trucks are around 80k for timing belts and I am not sure if it is a intererence. just remember when doing the timing belt do the tensioner and pulleys as well and water pump if driven by timing belt and all seals cam and crank. timing belts are one of the most important maint issue and most people dont until its to late after it has broke.

The belt can last more than 60,000 miles but just to be on the safe side you should replace as soon a possible. Some vehicles like the Acura Legend timing belt is guaranteed for 90,000, however remember if there are oil leaking from any seal inside the cover the belt may break. Also if the water pump is leaking that may also shorten the life of the belt. You should change the belt , tensioner seals and water pump when you do this job. You may have it for another 100,00 miles.