Tommy Maher

Hey all,
My local mechanic just replaced my valve cover gaskets on my 1989 3.0 (290,000 miles) because they were leaking like crazy. Been driving a month since the repair and there’s still a leak so I took it back. Now he says cam shaft seals are leaking.... but wouldn’t you replace the cam shaft seals when the plenum is off for the valve covers?? He also did the timing belt when he replaced the valve cover gaskets. Are cam shaft seals a logical thing to replace the first time (when he did valve cover)? I don’t know these trucks too well and I’m not a mechanic and I’m trying not to get screwed! If cam seals are something he should have done before I’m going to bring that up because the quote he gave me for the new repair is preeeetty expensive! Thanks for the help/insight, everyone.
-Tommy

rattlecanpaint

Cam seals should have been done with timing belt. Front main as well. They would not be done as part of a valve cover replacement. To replace the cam seals he has to take the timing belt back off as well as the pulleys. Any tech worth their salt would have replaced them while they were there. They cost maybe $15. Should have been in the estimate to begin with. Water pump too. These NEED to be replaced now though because oil on the timing belt will weaken it and cause it to break which will lead to bent valves and total engine rebuild.

Also, If the heads haven't been redone with new valve springs that needs to be done about 90k ago. Those engines were notorious for valve springs breaking and dropping a valve at about 225k.