Pesky oil leak....

[rangerin]

Just 2 weeks ago I changed the timing cover gaskets and oil pan gasket on the old 2.8. Everything seemed good until I noticed an oil leak coming from the bottom of the front crank dip in the pan. At first I suspected the oil pan as I chose to use the "Right Stuff" as a sealer vs. the crappy cork gasket this time, but upon closer inspection I'm starting to doubt that. When I got a good look at it I see oil coming from the bottom of the front crank seal (which I also replaced).

When I got the timing cover gasket set, it came with a repair sleeve for the front crank but I didn't use it since I didn't have a front crank oil leak before. Guessing I need to sleeve it?

I just shot some brake cleaner over the oil mess to get a firm idea of where it's coming from. Should know within 5 miles.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Not so hard to fix you may need a new front seal. Was there a groove cut into the damper pully where the old seal was riding. Install the sleeve on the damper pully and a new seal should fix the leak. I normally just sand the pully first with 200 grit to get down to good metal and whenpolish it with a 500 grit plus. Did you oil the seal and damper pully when you installed it just a light coat will do?

 

[RonD]

If there was a repair sleeve then there should have been two different front seals, one for the bare crankshaft and one for the sleeved crankshaft.
If there was just the one front seal in the kit then you did need to use the sleeve, the front seal is too big to seal against the oil pressure on the bare crankshaft.

 

[rangerin]

If there was a repair sleeve then there should have been two different front seals, one for the bare crankshaft and one for the sleeved crankshaft.
If there was just the one front seal in the kit then you did need to use the sleeve, the front seal is too big to seal against the oil pressure on the bare crankshaft.

Yep, it only came with one. Gah!

 

[RonD]

Yep, it only came with one. Gah!

Front seals for the 2.8ls are $10-$12, if crankshaft is nick free you could just replace the seal with a standard size, or since you have the sleeve already..........didn't throw it away right?

 

[rangerin]

Ok put the new seal (sized for a sleeve) in with the sleeve this time. I must of missed the slight marr in the pulley last time....dunno. Problem is it still leaks. The leak is slower, but still very noticeable. I used the Fel-Pro set and was intrigued about their seal. Instead of a metal outer shell, its rubber. Matter of a fact, it's not hard at all to install this seal by hand. With some oil, it slides right on in.

I'm wondering if the new seal is leaking around the outside edge since it goes in easy. I also have a regular sized crank seal that I didn't use. Will I cause any problems by giving that one a shot on the sleeved crank?

 

[RonD]

Thats odd, been a few years since I sleeved a main seal but do remember I had to use a oversize socket to pound it on, well tap it on, lol.

If it just slides on then I can't see it sealing very well, there is oil pressure at front and rear main seals, so it's not like a valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket gravity leak.
I would think the sleeve is just spinning on the crankshaft and oil is coming out between sleeve and shaft, same as it does on bearings.

 

[rangerin]

Thats odd, been a few years since I sleeved a main seal but do remember I had to use a oversize socket to pound it on, well tap it on, lol.

If it just slides on then I can't see it sealing very well, there is oil pressure at front and rear main seals, so it's not like a valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket gravity leak.
I would think the sleeve is just spinning on the crankshaft and oil is coming out between sleeve and shaft, same as it does on bearings.

Think you mis-understood. The sleeve is on just fine....hope I never have to remove it because I'm not sure how it would ever come off. ha

The crank seal is what went in easy. It seals fine on the crank, but it slid in the timing cover. This seal (Fel-Pro) has rubber on the outside, not a metal "shell" like all the other crank seals I've seen.

I do have a regular crank seal (with the metal "shell") Should I try that one? My crank has a sleeve on it because it does have a small wear spot...would that be too snug for a regular size crank seal?

 

[wildbill23c]

I'm going to be doing this same damn process Monday, but the seal I have is rubber as well, except on the inside (engine side) of the seal it has a metal spring around it. I'm guessing that spring is to keep it held against the shaft IDK. Every one here says the seal is metalic but mine sure isn't.

 

[rangerin]

I'm going to be doing this same damn process Monday, but the seal I have is rubber as well, except on the inside (engine side) of the seal it has a metal spring around it. I'm guessing that spring is to keep it held against the shaft IDK. Every one here says the seal is metalic but mine sure isn't.

Well you will be glad to hear that changing it is very easy (did mine in 1/2 hour). Just wish it would stop leaking. I've got a feeling that the seal fits too loose in the timing cover. I'll take the seal out on Monday. From there I'll either decide to put some sealer on the outside edge of the seal that's in there now or have a go at installing the seal meant for the shaft without the sleeve installed. That seal is a little snug on the crank (not a lot), but it sure fits tight in the timing cover.....something that the seal that I installed does not do.

And yes, the metal spring is there to help keep the seal snug on the crank as the seal wears away over time. Your rear main seal is the same way.

 

[wildbill23c]

Thanks, I just remembered that my rear main seal was made the same way. Hopefully this will fix the oil leaks finally, this is the last leak to deal with, last week the rear main seal was done and that stopped leaking so that was a huge plus as it was dripping oil out of there constantly, the front seal isn't as bad.

 

[rangerin]

Alright, seems as though the crank seal is working. Turns out that my PS pump is going bad and has started to leak. The leak seeps down the pump onto the crank area of the oil pan.

Who would of thought.

 

[wildbill23c]

And then the engine fan blows the oil all over the engine so you are left scratching your head as to what is leaking oftentimes LOL.

 

[rangerin]

Pretty much. I had a buddy come over since he had "fresh eyes".

The PS fluid comes out the bottom of the pump and seeps to the left to where it drips on the thermostat housing. From there it travels down the heater hose to where it accumulates a drip at the bottom of the dip in the hose. The fan does it's job and blows it everywhere...to the point where it sure looks like my crank seal is leaking. Now, the 1st seal I put it was shot since I didn't sleeve it, but I was starting to think the 2nd replacement was leaking too. While I'm glad the new seal is good, I'd rather pay for another seal than a PS pump!

 

[wildbill23c]

I know my crank seal is leaking as my power steering pump reservoir has never lost any fluid. Waiting to save up the money for a radiator then I'll have the crank seal replaced as the radiator needs to come out anyhow to allow more room to access that crank pulley bolt.