Crankshaft front oil seal and gear housing cover – replacement
Removal
1. Disconnect the cables from the negative terminals of the batteries (see Engine electrical systems).
2. Remove the drivebelt (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
3. Drain sufficient coolant into a clean container (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
4. Remove the upper radiator hose.
5. Detach the coolant reservoir hose from the radiator.
6. Remove the windshield washer bottle.
7. Remove the viscous fan and drive assembly, then remove the fan shroud and fan (see Cooling, heating and air conditioning systems)
8. Remove the fan support from the engine.
9. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands.
10. Remove the mounting bolts, then remove the crankshaft damper (see illustration).
Note: On some models, there is a friction shim behind the damper. Make sure that it is replaced during installation.
8.10 Remove the four bolts retaining the vibration damper to the crankshaft
11. Remove the power steering pump (see Suspension and steering systems).
12. Remove the drivebelt tensioner (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
13. Remove the gear cover mounting bolts. Carefully pry the cover from the front of the engine, taking care to avoid damaging the sealing surface.
14. Place the cover on wooden blocks and use a hammer and punch to drive the seal out from the rear.
Installation
15. Carefully inspect the damper for signs of fluid leakage. Any leakage requires replacement of the damper.
16. Thoroughly clean the new seal and the seal bore in the cover. Remove any old sealer.
17. Straighten the cover if necessary by tapping the sealing surface on a flat area with a hammer. It must be flat before installation. Clean the sealing surfaces of the cover and the block with brake system cleaner when finished.
18. Check the crankcase snout for nicks or burrs. Dress any imperfections with a small file.
19. Place the cover on wooden blocks. Apply stud and bearing mount compound to the outside of the new seal, then tap it into place using a large socket or a seal installation tool.
Caution: The inner sealing lip of the seal and the crankshaft must both be kept dry and free of oil during the entire installation process. Don’t try to lubricate the seal or the crankshaft at any time; they must be assembled dry.
20. Install the alignment pilot tool into the seal.
Note: This plastic tool should be provided with the new seal.
21. Apply a bead of RTV sealant to the sealing surface of the cover.
22. Install the cover and all of the bolts. Hand tighten a couple of the bolts to secure it in position. The seal alignment tool must be in place.
23. Tighten the bolts evenly to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. Make sure that the seal alignment tool is correctly located while this is done, then remove the tool.
24. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal.