front crank seal?

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

Well I took the turbo out of my liberty a couple weeks ago and just got the new one from id parts. I took the old one out a while back and haven't been in the shop since. I looked under the jeep today and there is oil on the floor. Took the skid plate off the front and found oil coming from the crank area at the front of the motor. Would this be the crank seal? Anyone done one before? And what kind of time and special tools do I need to get it replaced if that's what it is? Any help would be appreciated.

Mike92104 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:49 pm

Could be the crank seal or the front cover is leaking. Either way, you'll have to get the timing belt off to pull the front cover. The seal is pressed into the cover, and the cover is sealed to the block with some sort of rtv type sealant. I don't think any special tools are needed (I think there is technically a tool to install the seal), but you'll have to come up with a way to keep the engine from spinning when you remove the reverse threaded crank sprocket bolt. It's on there pretty tight. I just pulled mine apart yesterday, and the seal has worn a bit of a groove into the crank. You may have to find a sleeve if this is the case for you.

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

How long did it take you to replace it? Did you take the radiator out also?

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 3:31 pm

You can remove the front half of the timing belt cover without disturbing the belt. This will allow you to see exactly where the oil is coming from. If it is the front main seal, you will have to remove the crank pulley to change the seal. Not sure if that can be done without removing the rear half. Check the FSM for the procedure. Also, you need to determine what caused the seal to leak. This is very rare. Without the EHM, it is common for the rear main to leak, not the front. I wonder if the pulley has been loose and damaged the seal. I think you would know if the main bearings had a lot of slop in them.

DOC

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 3:35 pm

The timing case does not bave any oil in it so the crank seal in the cover only keeps out dust. That is not your problem.

DOC

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

I believe that my crankcase breather got plugged with ice. I lost oil out my exhaust. I pulled the jeep inside where it was warm for a couple days and when I went to load it on a trailer (after filling the oil back up) the jeep was running fine. I drove it for a few miles and checked the oil and it was fine. I thought that the ice likely melted out while it was inside. The next day I drove 30 moles round trip and found oil level down and also oil on the back of the jeep. I pulled the turbo and found the shift has side to side play and oil in the intake hoses and the exhaust has a tar like substance in it. I ordered a new turbo and went to replace it today. That's when I saw the oil on the floor. It seams to be coming from the front in between the block and the cover. I guess I will have to take it apart to know for sure. And I still have to replace the turbo.

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

And I did have the EHM done on the jeep but when I took the hose off it was kinked. I'm not sure how much airflow would be going through it.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:57 pm

Bad sign; plugged/kinked EHM hose = no CCV pressure vented = at least in some cases blown crankcase seals although the ones posted in the past have been the rear seal. Probably a separate issue from the exhaust oil which sounds like it was from your turbo shaft.

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

Anyone know is the nut/bolt for the rad fan reverse thread. It's being a real treat to get off

Mike92104 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:09 pm

DOC4444 wrote:

The timing case does not bave any oil in it so the crank seal in the cover only keeps out dust. That is not your problem.

DOC

The timing cover doesn't, but the front cover on the engine behind it does to oil the crankshaft/oil pump/vacuum pump gears.

Mike92104 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:16 pm

gbark wrote:

How long did it take you to replace it? Did you take the radiator out also?

I haven't replaced it yet, and it's part of a full engine tear down for me. Time wise, I would guess it's going to be the same as a timing belt job.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:01 pm

If your EHM was fully blocked, you would have seen plumes of white smoke out the exhaust. Check your rear main seal. As I and Pap previously mentioned, that usually goes first when the crankcase is pressurized.

However, as you noted, the turbo is a separate problem.

DOC

gbark · **Joined:** Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:00 pm **Posts:** 19

Ya there was a lot of smoke. And the burnt smell of oil. Again this was because of the turbo. All the oil that I can see is at the front of the motor. Is there a cover to look in or a weeping hole for the rear main seal? And again does anyone know if the fan clutch is reverse thread. I made a tool to hold it but it's not the best. Think I will just buy one tomorrow.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:21 pm

Just look at the rear of the motor at the bottom of the bell housing. It will be obvious. Again, white smoke out the tailpipe is due to a pressurized crankcase. Blue/Black smoke out the bottom of the vehicle is oil being burned on the exhaust system.

DOC

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:44 am

gbark - the fan nut is regular thread not reverse but from the factory it's on really tight. You will need a wrench, I don't offhand recall the size, and something to hole the fan base. For the latter see http://www.beesvillebeefarm.com/jeep.html You can use the allen key method or a socket wrench and appropriate deep socket on the pictured bolt head.

2 sets of hands are helpful and be sure to put a towel or piece of cardboard between the radiator and fan to prevent radiator damage. While you have the fan shroud out make future life easier by doing a fan shroud mod per viewtopic.php?f=98&t=64278&p=709322#p709322 and zip tie the fan shroud nuts into the retaining slots on the radiator. IMPORTANT note - do not under any circumstances loose track of the 2 fan shroud bolts as their length is critical; replacing with ones that are too long=holes in the radiator.

front crank seal?

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