It's that time of odometer again:
I need to replace the timming belt on my 1993 960, the front cam seal is leaking 1 qt every 5000 miles

I understand that root canal is preferable to pulley removal on the front of this motor (sans radiator removal) should I knuckle-under and replace the seal, or live with it for another 2 years or 1 qt/1500-2000 miles
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1993 964: 138K Mobil 1,

Hey how hard is it to replace the REAR cam seal?
There isn't much room, has anyone tryed it?

Rob F.

Hard to reach but not impossible. Use high quality bits when loosening the torx screws (for the cam/hall sensor housing). Made in pretty soft metal and always stuck, they can present some real trouble. I think Volvo replacements are made from better quality steel.

/MartinT
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65 121, 73 165

Do it now, it's easy if you just mark the cam pulley position as previous threads describe and I don't think you'll have to remove the radiator. You will avoid a potential risk of premature belt failure caused by leaking oil - I'd be careful about this on a 1991-93 model. No special tools required, just try not to damage the surrounding surfaces while prying the old seal out.

/Martin
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65 121, 73 165

I would replace that seal when doing the belt. I once removed the head without any special volvo tools. Just scribe the gear before removal. You might want to mark the bolts on the gear too, the gears are slotted and timed at the factory. I used spray paint. Before the belt change I set everything to the marks and made my own reference mark with white out on the old belt before removal, but I was taking the cams out so on assembly placing the old belt on to confirm exact timing. You should not have to do that though.

94 960 188k miles

Actually the "work" to replace the seal is minimal with the correct Volvo tools. If the cam pulley is going to be removed the cam and crank alignment tools should be used. This tool set cost over $400!!!!!!

You might be able to "scribe" the location of the pulley on the cam before you take it off but I'm only guessing. I know others have worked on these cams without the tools but I'm not sure how sucessful it was. There is adequate room without taking the radiator out. (Take the cooling fan out to extra room when doing the belt.)

I would get a quote from a dealer or "indy" who has the alignment tools. I would expect that with the tools, the additional time, over replacing the belt, for the both seals should be less than 1 hour. I can do a belt in 1.5 hrs on that car at home. (First time was only 2 hours from hood up to hood down.)