Camshaft seal replacement cost 308QV

To replace the seals on a QV you need to take the cams out - so, just to get access, that means removing the rear deck, the plenum/inlet manifolds & disconnecting everything from that (injector lines etc). That will then mean a cambelt change as well & while the cams are out it would be mad not to check the valve clearances (just a bit more labour needed).

So for parts you are looking at

Cam seals
Distributor seals
Cam seal housing O rings
Cam cover gaskets
Disty Gaskets
End plate gaskets
Inlet manifold gaskets
Cam Belts
V Belts
Cam belt tensioner bearings

....at least.


And a good few hours work.

Essentially you are well into a "major" with what ever that costs where you live.

 

Agree with what you said except that none of the plenum, injector lines, etc. need to Come off. It might make it easier, but is not necessary.

 

I don't (or at least haven't yet) removed the rear deck when I change the seals, but when having it done at a shop, some shops do remove the deck. Also, I haven't had to remove the plenum/inlet manifolds & disconnect the injector lines when doing this. A small mirror and care and the front cam cover, cam caps and cams can be removed without pulling all this other stuff out.


I agree with Iian, this is a major, and in the US at a shop it probably runs anywhere from $4k-$7.5 depending upon how much other work is performed.

 

Well, If t'were me, I'd remove the rear deck & the plenum to improve the access. The length of time it takes to remove these things vs the improved access for checking valve clearances & making sure the cam cover gaskets were right etc, it would be a no-brainer I think.

 

I did remove the rear deck when I did mine, which helped a whole lot with access.

 

I'd say between $2200-2500 as a rough guess depending on what else you want done "while you're in there" .

 

When I did the work on my 308, I avoided taking off the rear deck. I think I was paranoid. Finally, I gave up and took it off. It only took five minutes and help from two neighborhood teenagers. It makes all the difference in the world getting it out of the way. Be sure to carefully mark around the attachment points with a silver marker or something. That makes readjustment a snap.

 

Don't know about the 308 but on my 328 there are couple sets of alignment holes in the hinges on each side. I have 4 cut down nails that are a snug fit in these & that make it much easier to get the thing on & off & lined up properly. Still needs a minimum of 2 people though, 3 is better.

 

If you can get it done properly for a $1,000 that would be an incredible deal since would you have new timing belts after it's done (it's not advisable to reuse and retention the old timing belts). So basically you have new timing belt and cam seal seal service for $1,000.