I seem to have devoleped a leak at the front main bearing of my engine(3.0L). Its a 1990 4runner with a 3.0L engine. I have it all disassembled because i am replacing the timing belt and was wondering if i could do something about the front main seal leaking while i had every thing apart. What are my options for stopping this leak??

Thanks, Matt

 

I would change the seal. They should not be too expensive. If you wait until it blows, then it will sling oil everywhere and make a mess. If it is leaking now, it might get on your new timing belt and ruin it. Try to find one that has a different profile than the one you have so it will not be in the groove that gets worn by the old one.

 

yea i agree but whats involved in changing the seal? I prefer not to have to drop the oil pan and mess with the main bolts. Can it be changed without doing all that? I really dont know how the front is set up.


Matt

 

I use a large screwdriver and pry against the pump housing. Work your way around it and eventually it will come out as it is deformed and destroyed. You can drill a small hole in it in several locations and use a slide hammer with a screw attached but access is limited and then the shavings.....My screwdriver is a large, almost 2' long, from Sears. You will want to put some grease on the outside and inner rubber seal to assist in carefully pounding it into the pump. Take note of where the currrent seal rests in the housing and try to copy its depth. Tap on it all the way around in circles and it will eventually seat. I recommend cleaning up the balancer shaft where the pump seal rides. I use 400 wet/dry then 600 wet/dry, wet with wd 40, to smooth the surface to prevent leaks.

 

So there is no need to drop the oil pan? Is it a bearing or just a seal? Sorry for being dumb, just trying to understand.


Matt

 

Put 2 self tapping screws into the old seal and pry it out. My camshaft seals failed a year later, so you might as well go do those too.

 

It is just a seal on the front of the oil pump. You don't HAVE TO remove the oil pump to replace the seal. this means you don't have to drop the oilpan either. (which is nice.)

 

Mmk, Well thats good news! I looked up the seal and it was something like 3 dollars online so ill definitly be swapping the seal, and hopefully it stops my leak. Thanks for the info.


Matt

 

my 1980 4x4 pickup has blown both of the mains...front and rear...my rear just barely leaks...and i need a new headgasket...my front main leaks like a B!$%@...usually around a qrt. every couple days...thats why i dont drive it any more(that and my tranny is shot..and i need a t-case mount)...and i was wondering if it is a HARD job to replace both of them...its going to be my dad and I...together we know quite a bit..but have never had to replace one on a toyota...(sorry for the hijack)

 

dunno if this a common issue on the 3.0 but it is for the 22RE and they sell different seals to ride against a 'new' surface.
preping as above should eliminate the problem too.