The recent thread on a head gasket and cracked head got me thinking.

I am currently chasing an oil leak and have pulled the timing belt and front cover off to get a look at the front main seal. I haven't found the leak yet, but suspect that is my problem.

Anyway, since I have it torn down this far, and the Jeep has 108,000 miles on it, should I pull the intake manifold/engine cover, and do something with the head bolts/head gasket now to prevent future issues?

I did the timing belt at 100,000 miles, am into the front a second time, and don't relish the idea of a third. I also don't relish the bill to have it done if I can find a mechanic for the job. My area of Indiana seems to be slim on diesel techs.

This engine has been trouble free up to this point, and I would like to get another reasonably trouble free 100,000 miles out of it if possible.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeremy

Are you sure the leak is the front crankshaft seal?
It's far more common for the turbo oil drain pipe to be leaking.

I see no reason why not to install studs at this time. Just do the one at a time method so you don't break the seal on the head gasket.
You will need all the tools required to lock the camshafts and hold the sprockets.
You will also need to pull the injectors and get new O rings and crush washers for the injectors.
This would also be the perfect opportunity to delete the EGR system and install the Sasquatch Motorsports intake elbow kit.

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U.S. Army Retired

I didn't think about just changing one stud at a time. That would be much easier. The EGR delete is on the way already. The injector parts will be on the way shortly. Thanks.

No, I am not certain that the front seal is leaking. The turbo return line is seeping, but not leaking enough to be this issue. First thing I looked at. This leak looks to be at the front of the motor and coats the oil pan, then blows back and coats the tranny pan. Everything drips while it is parked. I am loosing about 1/4 quart per 350-400 miles or about a fill up. It just started 2 weeks ago a couple of days after an oil change. I thought it was the filter, so I replaced that. Nope. Checked the EHM for blockage, nope. Sides of the block are clean, top cover is mostly clean, and nothing fresh.

It is a pretty decent leak and I want it fixed before it gets worse. The only thing I can figure is the front seal, or something to do with the timing belt change I did 8000 miles ago (very unlikely it seems).

Thanks for the advice.

Jeremy

Found the oil leak. It was a threaded engine block plug located just below the serpentine belt tensioner, and just above the power steering pump inner bolt. You don't need to pull the front covers to get to it, but there is no way to see it, so I didn't know it was there or could leak oil.

I got the front cover off and found no oil coming from the crankshaft. Starter poking around since all of the freshly leaked oil is in that area. This plug was loose and seeping a lot. At one time it was sealed in with green thread sealant. At some point, it loosened up. I have to drain the oil a bit to get everything clean, then I can seal it up properly.

Lots of extra work on this one to find it, but I'll get my ride back with less to worry about in the future. The head bolts and EGR delete will be done when the parts arrive later this week.

Jeremy

Good decision on the studs and the elbow kit since much of the labor overlaps. Please try and record your release torques for the research sticky thread if you can.

If you haven't already lifted the top, you may also want to consider doing that now, so you have a chance to let the main gallery of the intake cover soak in a bucket of diesel and dissolve the majority of the goop that will be in there. The individual runners usually don't need to have that level of attention, the air is moving too fast to allow much debris to deposit. That will take a day or so of soaking, and it will also give you a chance to order the valve cover gasket - if it decides to not come off politely. Lately, they seem to be wanting to pretzel from being stuck to the head and the cover in different places.

Glad you found the leak and it wasn't something serious!

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Need help? Just ask! I've taken it apart more than most.
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Over 225 CRDs currently driving with my valves, timing belt, rockers, or ARP Studs.
Bad noises = REALLY bad things.

Your rockers will probably be sloppy too, so you would be best to spend another $360 and replace them if they don't feel like new

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Mech fan, VH & AC delete

I'll pull the top tonight and get it soaking. I am hoping it isn't too caked up since I did a GDE tune at 25,000 miles and the EHM at 22,000.

The rockers I didn't think about, but will check. The motor has never had any top end noise, but the way they are buried under the cover you may never hear them ticking away.

Thanks guys. I'll get the torque numbers when I pull each head bolt.

Jeremy