Rear Crankshaft Main Bearing Seal

Since it is sometimes difficult to determine the source of an oil leak in the rear seal area of the engine, a more involved inspection is necessary. The following steps should be followed to help pinpoint the source of the leak.

If the leakage occurs at the crankshaft rear oil seal area:

1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Raise the vehicle. 3. Remove torque converter or clutch housing cover and inspect rear of block for evidence of oil. Use a black light to check for the oil leak:  Circular spray pattern generally indicates seal leakage or crankshaft damage.

 Where leakage tends to run straight down, possible causes are a porous block, oil galley pipe plugs, oil filter runoff, and main bearing cap to cylinder block mating surfaces. 4. If no leaks are detected, pressurize the crankcase as outlined in AIR LEAK DETECTION TEST

CAUTION: Do not exceed 20.6 kPa (3 psi).

5. If the leak is not detected, very slowly turn the crankshaft and watch for leakage. If a leak is detected between the crankshaft and seal while slowly turning the crankshaft, it is possible the crankshaft seal surface is damaged. The seal area on the crankshaft could have minor nicks or scratches that can be polished out with emery cloth.

CAUTION: Use extreme caution when crankshaft polishing is necessary to remove minor nicks or scratches. The crankshaft seal flange is specially machined to complement the function of the rear oil seal.

6. For bubbles that remain steady with shaft rotation, no further inspection can be done until disassembled. See OIL LEAKS row under ENGINE LUBRICATION DIAGNOSTIC TABLE for components inspections on possible causes and corrections. 7. After the oil leak root cause and appropriate corrective action have been identified, see REMOVAL.

NOTE: This procedure can be performed in vehicle.

1. If being performed in vehicle, remove the transmission. 2. Remove the flexplate. See REMOVAL.

NOTE: The crankshaft oil seal CAN NOT be reused after removal.

NOTE: The crankshaft rear oil seal remover 8506 must be installed deeply into the seal. Continue to tighten the removal tool into the seal until the tool can not be turned farther. Failure to install tool correctly the first time will cause tool to pull free of seal without removing seal from engine.

3. Using Seal Remover 8506 (2), remove the crankshaft rear oil seal (1).

1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL 2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8349-2 GUIDE

1. Lubricate the crankshaft flange with engine oil.

2. Position the magnetic seal guide 8349-2 onto the crankshaft rear face. Then position the crankshaft rear oil seal (1) onto the guide (2).

1 - REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL 2 - SPECIAL TOOL 8349-1 INSTALLER 3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4171 HANDLE

3. Using Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Installer 8349 (2) and Driver Handle C-4171 (3), with a hammer, tap the seal (1) into place. Continue to tap on the driver handle until the seal installer seats against the cylinder block crankshaft bore. 4. Install the flexplate. 5. Install the transmission.

PLATE-FLEX

1. Disconnect the breather cap to air cleaner hose at the breather cap end. Cap or plug breather cap nipple. 2. Remove the PCV valve from the cylinder head cover. Cap or plug the PCV valve grommet. 3. Attach an air hose with pressure gauge and regulator to the dipstick tube.

CAUTION: Do not subject the engine assembly to more than 20.6 kPa (3 PSI) of test pressure.

4. Gradually apply air pressure from 1 psi to 2.5 psi maximum while applying soapy water at the suspected source. Adjust the regulator to the suitable test pressure that provide the best bubbles which will pinpoint the leak source. If the oil leak is detected and identified, repair per service information procedures. 5. If the leakage occurs at the rear oil seal area, refer to INSPECTION FOR REAR SEAL AREA LEAK. 6. If no leaks are detected, turn off the air supply and remove the air hose and all plugs and caps. Install the PCV valve and breather cap hose. 7. Clean the oil off the suspect oil leak area using a suitable solvent. Drive the vehicle at various speeds approximately 24 km (15 miles). Inspect the engine for signs of an oil leak by using a black light.

Since it is sometimes difficult to determine the source of an oil leak in the rear seal area of the engine, a more involved inspection is necessary. The following steps should be followed to help pinpoint the source of the leak.

If the leakage occurs at the crankshaft rear oil seal area:

1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Raise the vehicle. 3. Remove torque converter or clutch housing cover and inspect rear of block for evidence of oil. Use a black light to check for the oil leak:  Circular spray pattern generally indicates seal leakage or crankshaft damage.

 Where leakage tends to run straight down, possible causes are a porous block, camshaft bore cup plugs oil galley pipe plugs, oil filter runoff, and main bearing cap to cylinder block mating surfaces. 4. If no leaks are detected, pressurize the crankcase as outlined in AIR LEAK DETECTION TEST

CAUTION: Do not exceed 20.6 kPa (3 psi).

5. If the leak is not detected, very slowly turn the crankshaft and watch for leakage. If a leak is detected between the crankshaft and seal while slowly turning the crankshaft, it is possible the crankshaft seal surface is damaged. The seal area on the crankshaft could have minor nicks or scratches that can be polished out with emery cloth.

CAUTION: Use extreme caution when crankshaft polishing is necessary to remove minor nicks and scratches. The crankshaft seal flange is especially machined to complement the function of the rear oil seal.

6. For bubbles that remain steady with shaft rotation, no further inspection can be done until disassembled.

Since it is sometimes difficult to determine the source of an oil leak in the rear seal area of the engine, a more involved inspection is necessary. The following steps should be followed to help pinpoint the source of the leak.

If the leakage occurs at the crankshaft rear oil seal area:

1. Disconnect the battery. 2. Raise the vehicle. 3. Remove torque converter or clutch housing cover and inspect rear of block for evidence of oil. Use a black light to check for the oil leak:  Circular spray pattern generally indicates seal leakage or crankshaft damage.

 Where leakage tends to run straight down, possible causes are a porous block, oil galley pipe plugs, oil filter runoff, and main bearing cap to cylinder block mating surfaces. 4. If no leaks are detected, pressurize the crankcase as outlined in AIR LEAK DETECTION TEST

CAUTION: Do not exceed 20.6 kPa (3 psi).

5. If the leak is not detected, very slowly turn the crankshaft and watch for leakage. If a leak is detected between the crankshaft and seal while slowly turning the crankshaft, it is possible the crankshaft seal surface is damaged. The seal area on the crankshaft could have minor nicks or scratches that can be polished out with emery cloth.

CAUTION: Use extreme caution when crankshaft polishing is necessary to remove minor nicks or scratches. The crankshaft seal flange is specially machined to complement the function of the rear oil seal.

6. For bubbles that remain steady with shaft rotation, no further inspection can be done until disassembled. See OIL LEAKS row under ENGINE LUBRICATION DIAGNOSTIC TABLE for components inspections on possible causes and corrections. 7. After the oil leak root cause and appropriate corrective action have been identified, see REMOVAL.

OIL