Corner seal removal
 

I am currently in the process of tearing down an '87 TII engine. This thing was caked with carbon--most of which I've removed.

The problem I have now is the corner and to some extent, the side seals. I just can't get them out of the rotors. The apex seals were gummed in bad. Most of them broke in removal process.

Are there any tricks to removing these? Am I missing something?

Hugh

i think spraying them with carb cleaner should work or maybe brake cleaner?

Actually, just the other night, I found my friend's 91 Turbo II rotor sitting up in my garage from when I rebuilt his engine (I used different rotors for his). So, I decided I wanted to clean it up as a display piece. Every one of his seals was COMPLETELY stuck inside the rotor, so it got to be a little challenging cause I didn't want to f**k up the rotor. I was able to use one of the remaining apex seals to get out the corner seals. (Definitely take out the corner seals first, as it will make taking out the side seals much easier.) I went in through the apex seal passage with the "sharp" side of the apex seal facing down and onto the back edge of the corner seal (make sure the apex seal is on the corner seal and not on the rotor). Now hold the apex seal at a 45 degree angle and tap out the corner seal. I was able to remove all 6 corner seals this way without damaging anything.
Now the side seals are a little bit more tricky. With the corner seals removed, use a tool or a piece of metal that wil fit in the side seal passage and pry up under the side seal where it meets the corner seal. (Try not to use the rotor as "leverage" by the way when prying, that leaves marks.) A piece of the side seal will snap out. Now you can get to the side seal spring underneath. The easiest way to remove most of them is to use the side seal spring (which is underneath them) to pull up the side seal itself. Take your time doing this or else you'll "snap" the spring or pull the spring all the way out and removing them will be harder. You'll be able to get most of the side seals out this way. Now, if you get to a point where there are a few side seal pieces remaining in the rotor, use either some of the side seals you pulled out to remove the ones still in the rotor by "prying" up underneath them, or you can use the one end of a small hose clamp-----unscrew it, open it up, sraighten it out and use snips to cut out one of the "threads" so you're left with a small "u shape" at the end. Using this was much easier for me because I was able to get underneath the side seal and pull it right out. It also fit perfectly inside the passage and it would not break, unlike the side seals I was using to take the rest of them out.

you can use carb cleaner, brake cleaner or WD40. what i usually do is use the apex seal to turn the corner seal 180* (so that the open end is pointing down, then i push or tap it out.

soak the bad boys in simple green overnight!

Use something that will dissolve sludge and carbon...
Also, penetrant (WD-40, Liquid Wrench, P'Blaster, Kroil) will work well.
Spray and let it soak for a while.
GENTLY tap with a ball peen hammer or equivalent.
If it's not rusted in badly, it should work itself free.


-Ted

Thanks for all your help, I'll try this out tonight.

Hugh

I had a rotor that had the sides and corners badly rusted in. Tried a couple methods to get them out to no avail. Used PB Blast, worked like a charm :).