jess94toy

I have to change the front main seal and never done this before. What special tools will be needed and is there any other concerns when doing the main seal that I should know about?

scope103

First, are you sure? If you're chasing an oil leak, remember that gravity is not your friend. A leak anywhere on the engine will make its way to the bottom (though usually to the back, not the front). You need to get the engine sparkling clean and then look for the leak.

You'll want to replace the timing belt while you're in there, unless yours is less than 5,000 miles. And, I suppose, you should replace the water pump and the two timing belt idler pulleys.

But most of all, you need a tool to hold the harmonic balancer while you're undoing the crank bolt. (I, of course, am partial to this one: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...h-3vze-137934/ But there are plenty of other good shop-built tools described on this site.) Don't pay any attention to those who will tell you to use the starter to remove the crank bolt. I don't doubt it could work, but how are you going to put that bolt back in? You need to put 181 ft-lbs on it, and you'll never do that (even with an impact wrench) unless you can fix the harmonic balancer.

Do you have the FSM? (online or paper, either is good)

jess94toy

I just recently had the top half of the motor overhauled due to blown heads. Ever since then I had a oil leak that started and now it is pretty bad. We took it in to get an estimate and mechanic said they really didnt know where the leak was coming from until he pull the front cover off. But he said it looks like it is leaking from the front main seal. So he was gonna replace all three seals but I can't afford it so gonna try and do it myself with a help of a friend. Hard to tell where the oil coming from too becuz the oil is all over the place. No I don't have a FSM.

scope103

Yup, could be leaking anywhere inside the front cover, including the oil pump, the cam seals, and most importantly, the head-block joint itself.

If it were mine, I'd take off the top half of the front cover and take a look. I'd even be prepared to remove it, clean it up really well, put the cover back on and run it for 5 minutes, then take it apart again. (This isn't trivial because you have to remove the upper radiator hose and connection, but it is much easier than replacing the seals. Even if they need it.)

I'm going to guess that you had the timing belt replaced with the head overhaul, but if it's been swimming in oil you may have to replace it again. It's just the cost of the belt.

You live in the 21st century: http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

Look through the manual with your friend. Replacing the front seal is not for the faint-of-heart. But everybody has to start somewhere, and here is as good a place as any.

bensyota

my hardest part was getting that sob of a crank sprocket off... the bolt came out with ease. if i were you, get a puller for that. i did it without one and it took me about 2 days off cursing and prying. i also had to put a sleeve on it afterwards for putting a ding in the crank.

oldblue

if you just had a head job done, and it wasn't leaking prior to this, and now its a really bad oil leak, maybe you should have that shop/mechanic that did the work take a look at it. especially if there is a warranty.