2.3L ('83-'97) Front Crank Leak?

[The Texas Ranger]

Hey guys!

About 2,300 miles ago I did a timing belt job and decided to replace the front crank seal while I was in there due to a slow oil leak.

About two months later, I find the same drop forming under the timing cover! Not so nice to see after all that work.

Since my ownership, I've been running Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-20. Should I switch to conventional 5W-30, or am I gonna have to tear her all apart again?

 

[sgtsandman]

While the oil might help, you need to pull the cover to see where the leak is. Coming from. It is possible there is a groove in the shaft where the old seal sat and is causing the new seal to leak. I know there are repair kits out there for the rear seal because of the groove issue. There might be something like that for the front.

If I remember correctly, the first number in the oil grade is for when the oil is cold. So, it won't be any thicker than what you are using now, at least when it is cold. So, switching won't fix the problem. A 10W-XX might but that is only a band aid.

 

[Shran]

Looks like someone gooped a bunch of RTV around the oil pan? Maybe that has blown out somewhere? Should be a one piece rubber oil pan gasket... in any case

Front seal on these isn't too bad to replace but you have to remove the crankshaft pulley and timing belt to get at it. Probably half a day job if you work fairly quick. I think I replaced that seal 3 times on mine before I just gave up on it and years later it just stopped leaking... kind of strange.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The silicone is probably from putting the front housing back on... I've got nothing unless the oil is coming from somewhere else like the cam seal, cam bolt or aux shaft seal...

 

[The Texas Ranger]

Well I'm glad to say the front crank seal seams to be doing it's job! It's definitely my RTV chaos that's causing the leak.

Wish me luck boys!