The camshaft seal is an important part of making sure all the parts of the camshaft stay in place. It is natural for the seal to harden or break over time, and this will allow fluids to leak. This is why car owners need to consider having the camshaft seal checked during routine inspections to see if there is a problem and what steps they can take to fix the issue.
When the camshaft seal starts to fail and break, it may result in oil being lost. The timing belt can also get contaminated. On many vehicles, a timing belt replacement is expensive and takes a long time in the shop. Replacing the camshaft seal before it ruins the timing belt can make a big difference in how well your Volkswagen can work.
How to Tell the Camshaft Seal is Bad
There are a few signs you can look for when it comes to the camshaft not working well. This part is a round oil seal that can be found on the cylinder head. It is responsible for helping to seal off the end of the engine’s camshaft as well as sealing together the camshafts that are between the cylinder head and the valve cover gasket. The material is often a durable type of rubber so they can last a long time.
When one fails, it can allow oil to leak all over the engine. Any oil leak is bad on the engine because this oil protects the metal from friction and overheating. When the seal breaks, it will produce several types of symptoms.
Oil Leaking
The first sign that the camshaft seal is broken is there is oil leaking somewhere. This seal is often located on the type of the cylinder head near the back of the engine. When it stops working and allows fluid to get out, there may only be traces of oil on the back of the engine, near the valve cover. The car owner should routine check for any oil leaks to prevent further damage.
Oil leaks can appear in many locations. You may notice it on the engine or there is the potential that it will fall under the car when the leak gets bad. It is important to check for any oil leaks and then take your car into one of our qualified mechanics as soon as you notice a problem.
Smoke
Smoke from the engine is never a good sign. When it is the fault of the camshaft seal, the smoke will come from the oil leaking out of the camshaft seal and finding its way over to the engine and burning. The intensity of the smoke smell and the amount of smoke will depend on how much oil is leaking. So if it is really strong, this is a sign that you need to visit one of our mechanics as soon as possible.
A small leak is a problem as well. It can produce a faint smell of smoke that you should still have checked out. Even if it does not seem to have any effect on the performance of the engine, it may make your car less reliable. Having one of our mechanics inspect and diagnose the source of leak will keep your Volkswagen safe and all parts working as designed.
Replacing the Camshaft Seal
The best way to replace the camshaft seal is 
to visit one of our qualified mechanics. We will inspect the seal and determine whether it is wearing out or if there is any damage that caused it to wear out soon. Our mechanics will quickly repair the camshaft seal if the part is broken.
When the camshaft seal fails in your Volkswagen, it is important to trust the right professionals to get the part fixed. At DART Auto, our mechanics are here to help with all of your repair needs. We are happy to serve the residents of Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, and Denver, CO. We look forward to seeing you soon and earning your repeat business for all your Volkswagen service and maintenance needs. Call us or stop by for an appointment.
