Basic service

[paggers]

My experience is that there are still some dealers who simply don't want anything to do with imports on principle. Pretty stupid attitude when you consider that we are offering to give them our money.

[Yolo]

Never mind their loss... I have the bits ordered so will get started when they arrive

[Ricolas]

All the talk above of CAS O rings and gaskets etc got me thinking, and looking at the back of the engine there is quite a bit of oil getting out of mine. *sigh* Looks like another job to add to the list. Cam gasket at the same time recommended? It has probably never been done (101k miles at present).

Also, aftermarket or OEM?

[Mazda Mender]

OE rocker cover seal
M-m

[Ricolas]

Thanks, M-m!

Now I just have to find time to do it. First timer, what do you reckon? A mornings work?

[paggers]

Thanks, M-m!

Now I just have to find time to do it. First timer, what do you reckon? A mornings work?

I can easily answer that one as I just did both jobs (with some advice from MM and Steve from Autolink). Total elapsed time to swap both the CAS O-ring and the cam cover gasket was less than an hour.

In terms of 'how' here is how I did it (or more specifically how I was told to do it and then followed):

Step 1: unbolt the coil pack (black thing at the back of the engine into which all four HT leads connect). As it is bolted to the cam cover you need to free that up but you don't need to remove it.
Step 2: pull the HT leads out of the engine (just leave them dangling) and disconnect the 3 electrical connectors to the CAS (back left of the engine)
Step 3: disconnect the two breather pipes. One is at the left side of the cam case, about half way along and should just pull off. The other runs along the front of the cam cover - you don't need to remove this, just disconnect it at the left-hand end where it joins the other piping.
Step 4: undo all the cam cover bolts and lift the cam cover away from the engine
Step 5: Clean up the CAS and use some sort of permanent marker to draw several marks across the join between the CAS and the 'bridge' piece (sits between the two bolts) - this is to make sure that when you refit the CAS your timing will not be out!
Step 6: The CAS is held in place by 3 bolts, two in front of it (easily visible) and one tucked down the back. Remove the front two and lift out the 'bridge' piece that sits over the CAS. Then remove the third bolt (taking care not to drop it) and lift the CAS out.
Step 7: Carefully replace the O-ring making sure to oil the new one before you fit it.
Step 8: Slide the CAS back into place - the piece on the end will only fit into the cam one way around so if it doesn't seem to fit then rotate the end 180 degrees - and then quickly put in the back bolt to hold it in place. Refit the 'bridge' piece with it's two bolts then line up the CAS with the marks you made earlier. Finally tighten up all three bolts.
Step 9: Replace the gasket on the cam cover, give it a smear over with oil, and refit. Tighten up the bolts in a 'corkscrew' order starting from the middle and working your way out.
Step 10: Refit breather pipes, electrical connectors, bolt the coil pack back into place, and refit the HT leads.

You should now be good to go.

If I missed anything hopefully someone will jump in shortly and point it out!

[Ricolas]

Instant gasket is the only thing that is mentioned elsewhere. Did you use it?

[Mazda Mender]

Thanks, M-m!

Now I just have to find time to do it. First timer, what do you reckon? A mornings work?

I can easily answer that one as I just did both jobs (with some advice from MM and Steve from Autolink). Total elapsed time to swap both the CAS O-ring and the cam cover gasket was less than an hour.

In terms of 'how' here is how I did it (or more specifically how I was told to do it and then followed):

Step 1: unbolt the coil pack (black thing at the back of the engine into which all four HT leads connect). As it is bolted to the cam cover you need to free that up but you don't need to remove it.
Step 2: pull the HT leads out of the engine (just leave them dangling) and disconnect the 3 electrical connectors to the CAS (back left of the engine)
Step 3: disconnect the two breather pipes. One is at the left side of the cam case, about half way along and should just pull off. The other runs along the front of the cam cover - you don't need to remove this, just disconnect it at the left-hand end where it joins the other piping.
Step 4: undo all the cam cover bolts and lift the cam cover away from the engine
Step 5: Clean up the CAS and use some sort of permanent marker to draw several marks across the join between the CAS and the 'bridge' piece (sits between the two bolts) - this is to make sure that when you refit the CAS your timing will not be out!
Step 6: The CAS is held in place by 3 bolts, two in front of it (easily visible) and one tucked down the back. Remove the front two and lift out the 'bridge' piece that sits over the CAS. Then remove the third bolt (taking care not to drop it) and lift the CAS out.
Step 7: Carefully replace the O-ring making sure to oil the new one before you fit it.
Step 8: Slide the CAS back into place - the piece on the end will only fit into the cam one way around so if it doesn't seem to fit then rotate the end 180 degrees - and then quickly put in the back bolt to hold it in place. Refit the 'bridge' piece with it's two bolts then line up the CAS with the marks you made earlier. Finally tighten up all three bolts.
Step 9: Replace the gasket on the cam cover, give it a smear over with oil, and refit. Tighten up the bolts in a 'corkscrew' order starting from the middle and working your way out.
Step 10: Refit breather pipes, electrical connectors, bolt the coil pack back into place, and refit the HT leads.

You should now be good to go.

If I missed anything hopefully someone will jump in shortly and point it out!

M-m

[paggers]

I didn't use instant gasket / silicone sealant because I didn't have any handy. I have heard some people say you should put a blob in each corner but mine seems fine without it. Given how easy it is to whip the top off if it does start to leak I'll just add some sealant but until then I'm not going to worry about it.

As to the pics - yes, I probably should have taken some at the time, but I'm not going to redo it just so I can take pics! Not just yet anyway. I'm sure the same job will need doing on the new car so I'll remember to take pictures that time around.

[Yolo]

O ring ordered and was going to try this without removing the cam cover as the previous owner said he replaced it only a few thousand miles ago. If it doesn't work and I need to remove the cover do I need a new gasket or can I reuse with some sealant added t it? Hoping I the answer isn't what I think it will be...

[Mazda Mender]

@Yolo.....Remove the cover, fit a new rocker cover, and it must be a OE item DON'T use an aftermarket one, DON'T reuse the old seal with sealant, if the O'ring is duff then the rocker cover will be to, the reason it has not lasted from the last owner is because they cut corners and fitted it without removing the cover, it is not as big a job as you think, do it once and do it right, job done forget about it,....next job.
@Paggers....Mk 2 does not have a CAS at the back buddy, it has a small cam sensor at the front, set up is a little different, just more electrical bits really.
M-m

[Ricolas]

Well, the above has all given me heart, and I will put an order into Autolink later today and try and get this done next week.

What do you think about skipping the instant gasket, M-m? I would rather not bother with it if I do not have to.

[Mazda Mender]

Well, the above has all given me heart, and I will put an order into Autolink later today and try and get this done next week.

What do you think about skipping the instant gasket, M-m? I would rather not bother with it if I do not have to.

Skip it
M-m

[Yolo]

@Yolo.....Remove the cover, fit a new rocker cover,and it must be a OE item DON'T use a aftermarket one,DON'T reuse the old seal with sealant, if the O'ring is duff then the rocker cover will be to ,the reason it as not lasted from the last owner is because they cut corners and fitted it without removing the cover,it is not as big a job as you think, do it once and do it right, jop done forget about it,....next job.
@Paggers....Mk 2 does not have a CAS at the back buddy, it as a small cam sensor at the front,set up is a little different,just more electrical bits really.
M-m

I was hoping not to have to do this as the previous owner replaced the cam cover gasket because he noticed a leak but obviously missed the O ring so now I am left having to do both.... I will get one ordered and I assume it should be a mazda one!
On another technical point the workshop manual constantly talks about torquing everything correctly do i need a torque wrench for this just to keep me right? The tool kit I bought didn't come with one but if rquired for other jobs maybe I should consider it?

Thanks for the advice guys.

[The Captain]

@Yolo.....Remove the cover, fit a new rocker cover,and it must be a OE item DON'T use a aftermarket one,DON'T reuse the old seal with sealant, if the O'ring is duff then the rocker cover will be to ,the reason it as not lasted from the last owner is because they cut corners and fitted it without removing the cover,it is not as big a job as you think, do it once and do it right, jop done forget about it,....next job.
@Paggers....Mk 2 does not have a CAS at the back buddy, it as a small cam sensor at the front,set up is a little different,just more electrical bits really.
M-m

I was hoping not to have to do this as the previous owner replaced the cam cover gasket because he noticed a leak but obviously missed the O ring so now I am left having to do both.... I will get one ordered and I assume it should be a mazda one!
On another technical point the workshop manual constantly talks about torquing everything correctly do i need a torque wrench for this just to keep me right? The tool kit I bought didn't come with one but if rquired for other jobs maybe I should consider it?

Thanks for the advice guys.

A torque wrench is certainly a good investment.