LOL, my engine is starting to leak oil in new places all the time it seems.

Whereas this was concerned, I was doing my T-Belt change, and read several posts and pages related to that. Being this was my first time doing the T-Belt, I was a little intimidated - particularly when you consider how costly it could be if not done right.

Many posters suggest changing out the other working (moving) components while you are in there (Tensioner, Tensioner Pulley, Idler Pulley, Water Pump) - especially on vehicles that are getting a bit above the 100k mark. Other posters suggest not changing those items if they do not need it. I got this car used, and have put 30k on it. Unfortunately it did not have detailed records. The point is that failure of any of the previously mentioned components could lead to a prompt timing belt failure and hence crashed valves / pistons resulting in a $3,000 engine rebuild. For me, the extra money for the moving parts was cheap insurance and moreso peace of mind.

I do remember from my reading some guy who suggested replacing the cam seals while you are in there. This was a component that I decided I would not touch unless it appeared as though it needed attention.

When I got inside, I could see what I would describe more like residue. The exhaust (rear position) cam side had it, where the intake did not (this told me there was a difference - something that should not be). I would say that it must have been a very gradual occurrence over a long period of time. There was no obvious leak at the seal itself, but the trail of residue indicated to me that the seal had been comprimised. (In retrospect, it is possible that the last dingbat who worked on this thing never cleaned the residue - and that the seal may have been just fine - and that I was reacting to a problem that had previously been addressed already - !@#$%&*()

Anyway, this "residue" - although very light in volume became somewhat of a dust magnet. A flytrap for small debris like little grits of sand. As I moved the Tensioner Pulley, you could feel - just ever so slightly - a bit of grit.
That is one major problem with a leaking seal. Even if the leak is ever so slight, it can have a dominoe effect on the other components funcionality which could lead to the same catastrophic result - in this case by a "gritty" process. Obviously, a more productive leak could comprimise the integrity of the belt by a "saturation" process. Besides, the exhaust cam is just above the Water Pump. Having just installed a new pump, I did not want a very small and gradual leak of gritty nature to grow into a bigger leak of saturating nature - thus bathing and soaking my new water pump, belt, tensioner ($125) and pulleys. Oh yeah, the Tensioner (most expensive component replaced) has a top end that points up toward the direction of the cams, so a big leak could conceivably go right into the Tensioner top and pool there... or if only residue - accumulate grit.

The bottom line is that I replaced these components to have the peace of mind that I would have another 70k to drive before having to think about or deal with them again, and I did not want a leaking seal to change all that, so I addressed it. I had planned on doing both sides if I was going to do one, but I tackled the leaking side first, and because of the problems I encountered there, decided to leave the other one alone!

I checked my pics, and unfortunately I do not have anything that shows that residue. Of course, by now I have cleaned it all up. I did keep my old parts, so I will go and see if the Tensioner Pulley is still reflective of the way I found it, and if so, will post a pic so you can see what I encountered.

Good luck to you
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1995 850T Wagon 120k