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Just replaced a camshaft plug on an 02 honda civic 1.7 non vetec engine. My question is why does this plug even exist and why such a cheap crappy plastic part? I don’t see why it needs to be there, I didn’t have the valve cover off or anything to look inside of the engine to see the back of the plug, but I don’t see why this plug needs to exist. Is it an access hole to remove the camshaft or something? Just wondering
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I believe you’re exactly right: To pull your camshaft out if you need to replace it as it’s longer than your head cylinder.
Okay. I just think they could’ve done a metal plug that threads into the side of the head instead of a plastic plug with a o-ring. But then again it would cost them 12 cents more
Yeah, I was looking at that. Silly. For once some other brands did something right where an o-ring is pressed in place by a metal plate. But, this also adds weight (sure only 6 ounces, but 6 ounces for every metal plate to plastic plug can add up in the long run)
The hole is there for machining that was done when the head was produced. A metal plug with an o-ring is cool but a plastic half moon plug with RTV fills the same function.
I was told to use either honda bond or just that black gasket maker stuff when installing the new one so I don’t have to worry about it leaking again. What are thoughts on this? I’m generally one for letting the o-ring do it’s job like Eric always says. But since this is such a leak prone area what are some thoughts on this. I doubt my friend will have the car long enough to ever experience another leak anyways. The old one lasted 10+ years. If I can expect it to go a long time without leaking I would rather not put anything on it. Thanks
RTV itself isn’t permanent, so just stick with your o-ring. Interesting about the purpose of the hole then on this head. I guess every manufacturer has a different reason for them or finds creative ways to make them more useful.
[quote=”barneyb” post=96978]The hole is there for machining that was done when the head was produced. A metal plug with an o-ring is cool but a plastic half moon plug with RTV fills the same function.[/quote]
+1
This is the reason the hole is there. I do NOT however recommend coating the seal with any type of RTV. It just makes a mess and it will likely leak again anyway.
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