Need some advice here. (And I'll offer some.) I attempted to use a "dental pick" to remove the camshaft's front oil seal. It did not work well. It was a unsuccessful struggle with that tool. The pick's tip broke off and I thought it was stuck in the seal. I changed to a screwdriver with a long thin shaft and narrow fat blade. I got the seal out but not exactly as some have described it as "popping it right out". I cleaned the surfaces in preparation for the new seal and set it in.

I must have had a lapse of focus because I didn't find the tip in the old seal and could only think the worse that I had pressed in the new seal without an intense search for the tip. After due reflection, I removed that new seal and began a better search effort. The broken off tip is quite small, perhaps 3/16" long and 1/16" diameter. I think I saw it's broken end with the tip resting below the shaft (hard to see) and against the wall of some hole.

I made an attempt to retrieve it, only to have the broken tip fall away into a cavity where I could no longer see the tip.

So, - and here's where I need your advice - do I remove the valve cover and look for the tip, thinking that I can see on the other side, into this "cavity"? Should I just set in a new seal and forget the broken tip and hope that the oil lubrication will flush it to the oilpan? I might need to get a magnetic drain plug from IPD.

My advice to offer - Never use a pick!

For the fun of Volvos.
Mike

Hi Mike,

Had to pipe up because I've done that. At the crank seal, and using what I call a "mechanics" pick - the knurled kind you see made by General Tool with a straight end and an L-shaped end. I chased it and found it, but yours, up at the camshaft fell into the head onto the "shelf" where all the returning oil gathers, well distant from any return holes. I think that means it will probably stay there forever, not bothering a thing. And if it does "float" loose, it will fall to the bottom of the pan.

Pulling the valve cover gasket won't buy you much, because the opening is under the cam shaft. I checked my dental picks, and all are quite easily attracted by a magnet, but you can do the same test. My opinion is you'll get into more trouble fishing for it, and no trouble at all leaving it be.

After that incident I went to putting a drywall screw into the seals to pull them. Then, I damaged a part of the carrier doing that with poor visual access, so I've abandoned that technique and now just flip them with a screwdriver, trying to guide it carefully so I don't scratch the shaft. I think there are professional tools made for this job. I remember looking at some on line.

This is a B23 head. Not sure how different your B230 is here.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

Yes! There's that cavity/hole. What a relief to hear all of you suggest that the pick tip will most likely not interfere.

Actually, my pick is worse than a Sears. Would you believe Pittsburgh brand of picks bought at a Harbor Freight? You get what you pay for. I'm sure it's a low grade Chinese "steel" (I use "steel" loosely).

Thank you,
Mike
--
'83 245 GLT, '92 245DL, '90 760 GLT

Sometimes the direct approach works. I asked my dentist (duh1) for a few, and he was happy to have me take away a handful of "worn out" ones that were awaiting disposal.

But... although they might be great for teeth, they turned out to be a disappointment for seals. They, too, break. And sharp ones tear through seals instead of pulling them out.
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jds

Denatl Picks/mechanic picks

There are different Grades. I bought a small set from Sears. They are junk. They appear very strong but they are brittle and break. I have a Snap-on Pick that I swear you can lift the house with. I've abused that poor little tool and it keeps laughing back at me.
Your real issue: I'm guessing the Tip is on the Downstream flow of the oil and will end up in the Pan. Maybe buy a strong magnet and stick it to the oil pan, close to the front of the engine.

ouch,i will need to hide the dental picks from myself.a valve cover gasket is a lot cheaper and less painful than a valve job, roasted bearing,etc...you could try using an extending magnet thing a ma jig,good luck.

cheers,

It's on it's way to the pan. Taking the cover off is relatively easy and you may find it. If it is magnetic (and I doubt that) it may be easy to retrieve. I usually use a hemostat for such things. If its unretrievable I doubt it will do any harm in the crankcase. It will just go to the bottom and stay there. It cannot circulate as there is a screen and filter in it's path.

When I remove a seal I am not dainty, just use a common screwdriver and tear it out being carefull not to damage either surface. The outer seal casing will bend quite easily. Tryng to bring it out straight and undamaged is not usually possible.
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David Hunter

If the dental pick was "medical grade", the stainless steel tip will not be magnetic, so the magnet pickup trick won't work! I would HESITANTLY recommend ignoring the fact that the tip is in the engine as it will eventually find its way to the oil pan. Once in the pan, it will be too large to pass through the sump screen on the oil pump, and there is a good chance it will flush out with the next oil change.

Please note, the above is nearly an educated guess!

jorrell
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92 245 287K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!