95 Ram 5.9L throwing oil

I seem to have a problem. My truck started making a funny noise today, so I revved the engine to about 2000 to hear for changes in the noise, no change noticed. Backed the truck out of the garage, and looked at the floor under the engine. Oil was sprayed in a line about a foot in front of the front wheels. I open the hood, and peer around. I see splattered oil on the wheelwells. I crawl underneath it, and look around for a while. I see oil on the ground, and look up. If you look at the crankshaft pully, and move towards the block, there is another circular thing, that looks like a harmonic balencer, and then there is roughly a 1 inch gap from that to the block/oilpan. The leak is occurring from there. A quick look in my service manual, and I now suspect the front crankshaft oil seal. I looked at the procedure for replacing it, and it doesn't seem so bad, but it specifies Chrysler tool 6635.

My questions:

1) Has anyone ever done this before?
2) How difficult is it? I am good with a wrench, but not always sure of myself.
3) How long might this take?
4) Have I misdiagnosed the problem?
5) Is Chrysler tool 6635 necessary?
6) How much would the dealer charge to do this?

I sure hope someone can help.

Yeah the front seal is probably gone. I don't recommend changing it yourself unless you've done under supervised instruction or something like that. You might just end up getting someone to clean up the mess you made, and fix the root of the problem...

It IS your truck though, I know I would try it, but you just have to be careful...

Is it that difficult of a task? How much can I expect to throw away if I let the dealer do it? What I meant by not being sure of myself, is that I'm overly cautious when doing new things to an engine.

My suggestion to you is; phone and get an estimate of repairs from a couple od different places, and let that help you decide how to tackle this. I'm sure that if the job has enough decimal points you'll decide in a hurry. Be sure not to damage the plate that the Crank sensor works off of.
Good luck.

What does a GM moderator do?

I'm a Global Moderator here at AF, but I specialize in General Motors vehicles. Mom bought the truck so I could tow our trailer, but she doesn't like driving it. I don't mind it, local girls like trucks, and I like them too. I OWN a 1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra.

You will need a balancer removal and installation tool. It is a tight fit with the radiator in the way. A deep socket that fits over the crank can be used to transfer hammer blows to the seal. The front of the seal will be flush with the timing chain cover when installed properly. Don't worry about the crank sensor, it is at the back of the engine. This only applys to the 5.9 gas, the diesel is hours more worth of fun and it's no fun at all.

I've got a Snap-On balancer remover. I definatly have the gas motor, I think I'd know by know whether I was using the wrong fuel!

seniorbigs- Does your method say I don't need a special chrysler tool (Which I'd buy from snap-on anyway)?

Just so we're on the same page, the service manual references to a vibration damper. This seems to be Chryslers' term for a harmonic balencer

Thanks for all the help so far. You guys are going to save me alot of headaches.

No, you don't need the special tool. Any driver that will rest on the outside of the seal (it is stepped) and clear the crank. You will need a harmoic balancer puller and installer. I was wrong, the front of the seal will not be flush with the camchain cover. The seal will protude slightly when fully seated. Harmonic balancer/vibration damper, same thing. It is not a difficult job.

I think I'll take it to the dealer, much to my chagrin. I know where my harmonic balencer remover, but the installer has mysteriously dissapeared from the tool box drawer...

Will it be okay to drive the truck about 10 miles? So long as I check the oil before starting it?

I wonder if Dodge has a dealer locator, I hate Steve White...

You can keep driving it as much as you want provided you keep checking on how much oil you have. I've been driving around with a blown front seal for about 15000 miles now, but I don't lose too much oil, I just keep an eye on things. No, I won't have it repaired.

Mine hasn't lost too much, I always kept the oil level right at the safe line, now its maybe a 1/8 of an inch low.


Anyway I can dope it up and sell it? It's in need of shocks, a new exhaust system (Sounds like a baffle has broken loose in the muffler, and the whole system is rusted shut!) and now the front crank seal.

*UPDATE*

Took it to the dealer today, they'll work on it tomorrow. As it runs, it now sounds like a diesel. Idk whats wrong with it.