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Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 1:39 pm
by robinimpey
As many of us know these older vehicles tend to develop a few oil leaks. I have fixed up a few and have found that I have a drip coming from bell housing of the transmission, which is engine oil.
The others were rather easy to repair, but this one will not be much fun. Has anyone done their own engine seal? How easy/difficult was it?
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 6:19 pm
by lrp374
Are you sure it's the main seal. I had oil all over the bell housing etc. until I replaced the valve cover gasket which I thought was just a small leak.
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 8:55 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
Could be the rocker cover seal like Irp has suggested (half moon seal), but I would also suggest that it could be the engine end of the turbo oil feed, located on the rear right quarter of the motor.
Falco.
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:06 pm
by robinimpey
Hi Guys, Thanks for the feedback. I'm nearly certain that it is not something so easy, but I'm going to give it another good wash and have another look. I would be very happy to find that it was the oil feed line, halfmoon seal or valve cover. Both the latter were recently replaced, but the turbo was just redone as well, so it is possible that the oil feed line is leaking after being worked on. I'll keep you "posted".
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:29 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
robinimpey wrote: ......I'll keep you "posted".
Please do. I recently replaced the rocker cover gasket/half moon/grommets as it was leaking all over the bell housing as Irp mentions and I found that there was still a minor leak after I did this, which turns out to appear to be the oil feed/motor connexion ~ although I haven't ruled out other possibilities. How's that for covering my bases?
Falco.
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:32 pm
by robinimpey
So what you're saying Falco is that the engine oil leak is coming from the engine? Excellant, now I have it narrowed down to the front of my van!
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:50 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
Actually, I would definitely say forward of the rear axle.
Seriously, though ~ keep us notified. I'll put odds on the oil feed, I ought to know ~ I'm a painter! 
Falco.
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 10:55 pm
by nxski
I've had my valve cover gasket replaced twive in the last 1.5 years and thought my problem was solved but after driving for weeks in above 30 temperatures it's worse than ever (still no real decline in oil levels though so I'm not too concerned yet). I'm curious to see what you find yours to be.
Re: Main engine oil seal
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 3:34 pm
by Firesong
My L300 has a front crank seal leak.
I have the seal for it, just going to wait till I need to replace something else
and get it done at the same time. It's a small slow leak however it sure looks
like a lot over time. Makes a nice mess under the motor.
Had it leaking for about 3 years now :) I make sure to put the heavy oil
15/40 in it for the spring, because the 0/40 or 5/40 from the winter goes through
it faster when it's warm :)
Maybe Ill get it done next timing belt change or such.
FS