Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Front Crank Seal abrading crankshaft

[Schlickenmeyer]

Hello all. Membership to this was one of my 100,000 mile presents, but I am having an odd problem. The front crank seal was leaking again (seal replaced at 50K and 90K) turns out the crank is trashed, and was eating seals, but the damage is in the seal area. Has anyone else had this problem? which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Thank god I have the following:

1: 500 miles left in the warranty

2: a DAMN good mechanic. ( the odd thing is he actually works for the dealer, and I DO NOT like dealers, but this guy is old school. hell, I have seen him taste fluids when smell was not enough).



He does not know if chrysler will ok the crank, they may require him to replace the short block.



What a day. :{

 

[rweis]

I just had my front crank seal replaced (leaking) 60k.



The mechanic said the seal had worn a path in the crankshaft. Same problem I think if I read your post correctly.



Bob Weis

 

[n7gxz]

You could have a speedi-sleeve put on which will give the new seal a new surface to run on. Much cheeper then a new crank and less time to do.



Kevin

 

[rweis]

I do not know what that is. Could you please give a little description and where to get them, difficulty of install?



Thanks,



Bob Weis

 

[WestTN]

The sleeve is the way to go. Just make sure there is absolutely NO oil on either the shaft or seal, or the seal will fail again.

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, I'd put a wear sleeve on the crank snout before I'd tear the engine down.



Rusty

 

[nutter3]

he chicken or the egg?

Thank god I have the following:

1: 500 miles left in the warranty

{

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I'd let the dealer replace the short block. Heck, drive 99500 miles, then get a new and FREE engine. Oo. Whats the problem with that? Only draw back is you'll have to break in a new engine for awhile before bombing, if you're worried about the warranty on the new shortblock.

 

[RustyJC]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I'd let the dealer replace the short block. Heck, drive 99500 miles, then get a new and FREE engine.

Well, yeah, if they will. Personally, I would suspect that the DC rep will want oil samples and everything else you could think of to determine the source of the abrasive between the crank seal and the crankshaft. Unless it was introduced during manufacture, he/she will likely try to pawn the root cause off as dirty oil, etc. Of course, I could be wrong - he/she may just roll over and give a short block away at 99. 5K miles in the name of good customer relations.



Rusty

 

[nutter3]

He does not know if chrysler will ok the crank, they may require him to replace the short block.

{

RustyJC,

I was just going off what his mechanic told him.

Andre

 

[n7gxz]

I do not know what that is. Could you please give a little description and where to get them, difficulty of install?



Thanks,



Bob Weis

Speedi-Sleeves (Chicago Rawhide name) are thin stainless steel sleeves that are installed over the end of a shaft to restore a warn seal surface.



Kevin

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

Well, the crank is on order. But hey, on the bright side, all the nooks and crannies will be clean (engine upside down for a day) all sorts of bolts will be no longer stuck, and I get a bunch of new gaskets and bearings. I guess It could be worse, I could have found out in 600 miles!!

 

[DMcPherson]

I am VERY surprised that they are going to put a crank in it. usually it will get a sleeve, and the larger engines actually are sleeved because of this, and when it gets a seal it usually needs a sleeve. tis nothing uncommon.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

This has been my experience so far, Like I said, very strange that I would LIKE a dealer. No hesitation at all. These guys rock.

 

[rweis]

Anyone know what the crankshaft diameter (2002) is for the Speedi-Sleeve?, or is there enough variance that it is an individually measured thing?



Looks like the correct fix. Wish I had known, labor to do the new seal was $250. Looks like it will be redone. Still leaking BTW.



Thanks again to the TDR, Really a GREAT group of guys!



Bob Weis

 

[MNiebel]

Cummins has the seal and sleeve come in a pack together you can buy just seal or seal and sleeve. Part #3802820 cost me $71. 26

 

[moparguy]

Just did the wife's 98's timing and kdp, and changed the front seal. The seal had worn the crank.



When installing the new seal, I set it about 3/16th deeper in the front cover, allowing it to contact a new area on the crank.



Still had full contact on the outer cover to seal, sealing surface, so hopefully their will be no surprises with this shadetree fix.



RJR

 

[rweis]

That is what the guy that did my front seal did (change where it rides on the crankshaft). Still leaks. Time to go to the next level and do it right with the sleeve.



Bob Weis



I did not know about the sleeve or I would have done it right the first time!, duh! I HATE redoing something because of stupidity! But, that's where TDR comes in, knowledge!

 

[moparguy]

Just a update on the wife's truck and leaking crank seal.



It's leaking again. So, I'm starting to shop for a seal kit with speedy sleeve.



RJR

 

[rweis]

The second time I had the seal and the sleeve done. Worked fine. No leaks.



Bob Weis