Im doing some work on a buddies track car that has 150k, these seals on the VVT ***** are hard as a rock. What function do they perform and what is the downside of not replacing them?

 

I think if they were really shot you might get slow or poor range of VVT actuation and/or possibly a slight loss of oil pressure. Not sure if I've read about those failing before. Then again, they're only $2.59 each. Mazda calls that "*****" an "adapter" BTW. If you unbolt it from the head and lift it off there will be another pair of o-rings on the opposite end, so buy two of each size if you're planning to replace them.

BP6D-10-673 are the small ones
ZL09-10-674 are the larger ones

I have an 01 motor on a stand and I have to believe those o-rings are still good on mine because the valve cover takes some good effort to lift off. They look to be in good condition and I hadn't planned on replacing them before using that head. But this motor has less than 35K miles on it.

 

I thought it might affect performance, ok Ill order them.

 

Honestly, that's an awesome pic with the star off the bolt head and the purty little rainbow to the right On topic - I'll remember to check the o-rings when I get my VVT

 

Not my pic, stole it off google.

 

I believe that in addition to supplying the VVT actuator, one of the passages in the [ahem] "adapter" sends oil to a squirter for the #1 intake cam lobes. At least that's what it looks like from the bottom/inside of the valve cover.

 

I actually didnt even look up in the valve cover last night. Your saying it has another set of the same part number up in the slot for the "adapter".

 

On the other end of the adapter itself. You have to unbolt it and pull it from the head to get to the other two o-rings.

 

Thanks Scott, do you have a manual on cd?

 

I don't think I have a manual for 01+, but I do have a Mazda Motorsports account that's great for parts diagrams.

 

Oh **** your good at that site? Uh yea I have an account too, but I cheat and go to finsihline performance and get part numbers than cross search lol. I was bitching about it earlier in the week after the big order for all the timing gear, seals, and belts. I thought maybe you bought one of those cheap parts cd's. Thanks for the help again.

 

Yeah I just bought a couple hundred bucks in gaskets & seals from Mazda Motorsports for building up the 94 block with 01 head, and I used Finish Line to look up part numbers for some of the weird **** like the VVT intake cam oil seal. To my surprise, Finish Line is actually $20 cheaper than Mazda Motorsports on a water pump kit. Finish Line is also conveniently located about 15 minutes from my house.

 

Rock auto had the better deal on the gates belt with idler pullies. I think I saved $100 bucks on that alone. You have to be careful with mazdamotorsports, they have awesome prices normally 10% cheaper than finishline, they throw a few crazy prices at some items to make a buck.