oil leak

[MeettheCreeper]

I have a 95 Aspire with a crank seal leak (front). It was pouring out pretty good so I decided to change it. When I pulled the tbelt sprocket off I noted that the seal didnt look like it was installed properly. I believe that someone tried to change it unsucessfully.

I swapped in a federal Mogel seal and installed a new tbelt. Let it run for a while no leaks. After driving it for about 15 minutes it started leaking again. Took it all apart and let engine run with timing cover off to make sure it wasnt the head gasket or cam seal that was leaking. Again the crank seal. I am going to try a different brand of crank seal (Fel-pro) this time and see if it leaks again.

Anyone else ever run into this problem?

[rhandwor]

Depending on the mileage the seal may have worn a slight groove in the harmonic balancer. You can buy a readi sleeve to repair this. I have used them both on cars and my finish mowers I pull with my tractor.
If the parts store doesn't have call a bearing specialty firm. If you give them the seal number they will sell you both. Cost around $40.00 they are not cheap.

[Don Mason]

We use the repair sleeves often where I work as a maintenance mechanic and they work very well. Also when you re-assemble the balancer, make sure you put a moderate film of oil on the contact edge where the seal meets the steel or it will burn up.