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Can't find a distributor O-ring for the Camry anywhere..

E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
We scored a used, non-leaky distributor.. on eBay no less. 😉

I've looked far and wide, and I can't find any site that seems to have one in stock that I can just order.

I tried all the local auto parts stores, but they said they didn't even have anything like that listed. 😕

It's an '87 Camry, 2.0L, 4cyl 3SFE.

Need the distributor shaft O-ring, not the cap to body O-ring.

Thanks for any leads!
 
It is a simple rubber O ring take distributor to a car parts store and fit it. That is what I did!

Or go to Toyota and get one.

Still cant get one PM me I can mail you one for a few bucks.

Ken
 
It is a simple rubber O ring take distributor to a car parts store and fit it. That is what I did!
Click to expand...
That's what I would do. Any decent parts guy should be able to come up with something.
 
Originally posted by: sward666
It is a simple rubber O ring take distributor to a car parts store and fit it. That is what I did!
Click to expand...
That's what I would do. Any decent parts guy should be able to come up with something.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you can bring it in to one of the places that have the tray and bins of fastners and the like they can match it up. Small parts like these are usually only catalogued on the dealer level if even that.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: sward666
It is a simple rubber O ring take distributor to a car parts store and fit it. That is what I did!
Click to expand...
That's what I would do. Any decent parts guy should be able to come up with something.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you can bring it in to one of the places that have the tray and bins of fastners and the like they can match it up. Small parts like these are usually only catalogued on the dealer level if even that.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I thought about this, but it just didn't seem "right". I won't really know if the O-ring I get is 100% correct until I install it and verify that it doesen't leak.. for many thousands of miles. 😛

Well.. If I'm going to do something like that, then I'd rather find some sort of ultra O-ring that doesen't get hard with exposure to oil and heat or something.... you know, gotta get the best I can. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Quixfire
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: MadCowDisease
...dealer?
Click to expand...

I want to avoid paying 25$ for a 3$ o-ring if possible. 😛
Click to expand...
Call them you would be suprised, Toyota has decent pricing on their parts.
Click to expand...
I guess I will try that.

What about my idea of trying to find a uber-l33t O-ring instead of just a regular neoprene rubber one?

Looking through McMaster's catalog, it seems like there could be some good alternatives if they are just regular neoprene.

PTFE looks like it's the most versatile, and it has a good temperature range too.

Actually, this Kalrez® stuff looks really cool.

The old O-ring that is on it is very hard. Am pretty sure that is the result of exposure to temperature and oil, and not the way it's designed.. but I could be wrong. I need to know more about the part i'm trying to upgrade, I think.

It's going to be difficult to get off. Is there anything I could soak it in to perhaps make the rubber a little more pliable?
 
Originally posted by: Crucial
O-RING
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Nitrile seems to be more resistant to oil than neoprene. Perhaps that is what the stock one is made out of.

I'm going to one up them, though. This is a common leak, and based on my observation, it could be a direct result of using a regular nitrile or neoprene o-ring. It eventually gets hard and doesen't seal anymore.
 
As for using a normal or super o-ring just make sure you don?t need a square o-ring, Toyota like to use those a lot.
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
You're looking for a superior Oring for a 1987 toyota?
hehhehehe
Click to expand...
Heheheh... 😀

Well, if I'm going to fix it, I may as well use the best parts I can get. Since this is a common leak, it could be worth it.
 
Originally posted by: Quixfire
As for using a normal or super o-ring just make sure you don?t need a square o-ring, Toyota like to use those a lot.
Click to expand...
Hmmm.

I don't think it is, but I'll have to wait until I get it off to fully check. The sealing edge is quite flat, but I assumed that was just permanent distortion from sealing - since like I said, it is quite hard. Almost feels brittle.

Looks like Nitrile has a maximum operating temperature of only 250ºF. That's pretty low for something situated close to the head of an engine. 😛 No wonder it gets so hard with use.. assuming nitrile o-rings are what they use.

Shame, Toyota engineers! Spend more money on your O-rings. 😛

Leaks suck.
 
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: SampSon
You're looking for a superior Oring for a 1987 toyota?
hehhehehe
Click to expand...
Heheheh... 😀

Well, if I'm going to fix it, I may as well use the best parts I can get. Since this is a common leak, it could be worth it.
Click to expand...
I'd just go with a generic gasket like others have mentioned.

Then spend the saved money on gas or beer.
 
Originally posted by: SampSon
Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: SampSon
You're looking for a superior Oring for a 1987 toyota?
hehhehehe
Click to expand...
Heheheh... 😀

Well, if I'm going to fix it, I may as well use the best parts I can get. Since this is a common leak, it could be worth it.
Click to expand...
I'd just go with a generic gasket like others have mentioned.

Then spend the saved money on gas or beer.
Click to expand...
Heh.. but that's no fun, and is against my anal gearhead heritage. 😉

That'd be like using Radio Shack thermal grease instead of AS5.

😛😀

I actually find the whole thing ingriguing. If I'm right, and the common leak is caused basically because the O-ring material they use is inadequate, I plan on making it right. 😉
 
Nitrile, Viton, or Silicone is what material you'd want (Nitrile is the most common). If you have a technical drawings of the o-ring you need, you can see (and email or call) if MCMaster-Carr has anything that matches, or they can reccomend you to a company who can custom make the o-rings for you. Usually you have to request a work order of a few thousand (or hundred) for the o-ring to be made.

If you think toyota is bad, look at VW/Audi, they have been using the same design and material for their camshaft cam tensioner seals for many years (over 10 years a master technichian told me), and those continue to leak to this day.
 
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Nitrile, Viton, or Silicone is what material you'd want (Nitrile is the most common). If you have a technical drawings of the o-ring you need, you can see (and email or call) if MCMaster-Carr has anything that matches, or they can reccomend you to a company who can custom make the o-rings for you. Usually you have to request a work order of a few thousand (or hundred) for the o-ring to be made.

If you think toyota is bad, look at VW/Audi, they have been using the same design and material for their camshaft cam tensioner seals for many years (over 10 years a master technichian told me), and those continue to leak to this day.
Click to expand...
Hmm.. It just occoured to me that the O-ring is probably metric.

It looks like McMaster only carries Nitrile and Viton metric O-rings.

How about if I got one of the "Double Seal" nitrile O-rings? I wonder if it would be better.

JEEBUS! :Q

This Kalrez® stuff is like 60 bucks an O-ring, lol.
 
Looks like I'll probably have to go with a regular nitrile one. 😉

Might also go Viton. It has a much better temperature range than nitrile.

Hmm.
 
Originally posted by: Eli
JEEBUS! :Q

This Kalrez® stuff is like 60 bucks an O-ring, lol.
Click to expand...
This ain't the space shuttle, you know.

Somehow I see the entire car having rusted to dust and there amonst the pile is a pristine o-ring.
 
I came out of lurking to help you out


my sis has a 88 3sfe camry - her distributor shaft o-ring began to leak - like you I tried to avoid Toyota.


Well, let me tell you - I went through 3 o-rings of diff materials that all appeared to be the EXACT size as OEM. And all 3 Leaked like a siv.

I went to toyota and paid the $10 and VOILA no leak.


Something special about that o-ring.


Don't waste your time
 
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