Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Front Crank Seal

[Bobalos]

Hey folks,



as some of you might know, I replaced my VP44 & injectors this last weekend & now the front crank seal is leaking like a stuck pig. I cant imagine that is coincidence that I changed the pump & now all of a sudden the seal is leaking something awefull.



I did not remove the front cover or the damper when I changed the VP44, so what gives??? anyone have any ideas?? do they just start to leak?



Also, is there a gasket on the back side of that timing cover? I would imagine so. I wont need to take the radiator out to replace that seal/gasket will I? It looks like as long as I take the fan out & pulley's off it should come right off.



thanks agian guys, I appreciate it.



Bob

 

[GarrettPetersen]

Nope no need to remove the radiator. Just remove the fan, fan shroud, and fanpully and all is easy. Did you check to see if the crank case vent is sealed up. You had to remove that to git to the pump nut. Could it be leakin from there posibly and gittin flung around by the fann. Just a thought.

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I think the seal has to be removed and installed from the back side of the cover. It does not have a gasket, just rtv. Does seem strange that it would start this right after the pump install.

 

[Bobalos]

Nope no need to remove the radiator. Just remove the fan, fan shroud, and fanpully and all is easy. Did you check to see if the crank case vent is sealed up. You had to remove that to git to the pump nut. Could it be leakin from there posibly and gittin flung around by the fann. Just a thought.

Yea, I thought that, so I cleaned the heck out of the front & bottom of the motor & took it for a drive. there is for sure oil coming out of that crank seal. it also looks like there is oil running down from where the Power Steering pump is, but its hard to tell if its not just oil getting blown all around from the fan (like you said). today I am going to clean it up again & start it up & not drive it & see if its leaking from anywhere else.



thanks for the help.



bob

 

[Bobalos]

Does seem strange that it would start this right after the pump install.

thats what I thought. maybe I was a bit rough on it trying to get that gear off of the VP44, but I dont see how. there is no stress on the cover, just on the gear & pump shaft.

I think the seal has to be removed and installed from the back side of the cover. It does not have a gasket, just rtv.

thanks a bunch.



Bob

 

[JCutter]

Does anybody know where you can get a good seal from. I changed the cam and forgot to put a new seal in and mines leaking to. The dealer wants 47. 00 for a new timing case cover seal.



Thanks Jeremie

 

[GarrettPetersen]

Try goin direct to cummin for that seal.

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I've been putting up with an oil leak at the front of the engine for about 100K miles. No way to tell where it is coming from. Replaced the breather with one from Fleetguard that puts the liquid back in the engine, no help. Extended the breather hose and it still drips from the front. Fan blows it around so bad it's impossible to tell where it comes from. Just keeps the underside nasty. I bought a seal from Cummins, don't remember the price but the part # is 3804899. Have a cousin that worked for a dealer, he said that he had to replace some of the front covers due to cracking. Some have found the vacuum pump seal to cause this. Let us know what you find.

 

[JCutter]

Mine didnt leak before i did the cam swap and i thought it was the bottom of the cover at first but it looks to be comming from the dampner.

 

[EdK]

Add me to the list

Amazing! My '99 started to leak after my VP-44 swap also!!! I did the vacuum pump seal replacement and checked everything under and around the injector pump while the power steering pump and vacuum pump were off, but no sign of any oil up there.



I'll be getting the seal kit from Cummins. I read somewhere that the "kit" has a disposable alignment sleeve that is used when sliding the cover and seal over the crank.



Meanwhile, I'm parking over cardboard on the garage floor. Look on the positive side... we won't be having RUST problems on the front suspension!!!



Ed

 

[Cummins724]

I changed my crank seal & only took off the belt & balancer. It was a pain to get into, but I got it done.

 

[Bobalos]

Amazing! My '99 started to leak after my VP-44 swap also!!! I did the vacuum pump seal replacement and checked everything under and around the injector pump while the power steering pump and vacuum pump were off, but no sign of any oil up there.



I'll be getting the seal kit from Cummins. I read somewhere that the "kit" has a disposable alignment sleeve that is used when sliding the cover and seal over the crank.

I just picked it up @ the Dodge dealer & there is a little plastic sleeve in the box that fits inside the seal.



there are actually 3 seals in this box. I had the guy double check it to be sure that this was the right one, & he said it was. I will see when I get that cover off.

Meanwhile, I'm parking over cardboard on the garage floor. Look on the positive side... we won't be having RUST problems on the front suspension!!!



Ed

I Live in So Kal, Rust is not an issue. LOL. I guess I know what Im doing this weekend. I wanted to go & play.



Bob

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Don't remember the exact price but I think the price from Cummins is about half that of the dealer. It does come with an alignment sleeve, also. Hate to tear mine apart but it sure is a mess under the truck. Guess after 367K I should not mind that small amount of work. It's really been a good truck.

 

[rweis]

Mine did exactely the same thing after Vp replacement at a dealer 20k ago (1 yr). I had the seal replaced later trying to get the leak stopped and the mech said he tried to move the seal to ride on a different place on the crank a little. Still leaks.



I am going to put the sleeve AND seal in it to try to get the leaking stopped. Not a lot of leaking, but with the fan it blows everywhere underneath. I thought you had to take the rad out, so thanks for that info.



Definitely NO rust!



Bob Weis

 

[wtfd6]

I would say the best place to get a seal is either from Cummins or the dealer. that sleeve makes life easy when you are trying to get the cover back on.


Mark

 

[Bobalos]

how are you guys holding the motor from turning over while you are breaking those bolts loose on the damper??? I cant get my impact in there w/o yanking the radiator out so Im trying to use a breaker bar & the motor keeps rolling over.



thanks

Bob

 

[Cummins724]

how are you guys holding the motor from turning over while you are breaking those bolts loose on the damper??? I cant get my impact in there w/o yanking the radiator out so Im trying to use a breaker bar & the motor keeps rolling over.



thanks

Bob

I used a air ratchet, but if you don't have one available..... you can put the belt back on to break them loose.

 

[wtfd6]

how are you guys holding the motor from turning over while you are breaking those bolts loose on the damper??? I cant get my impact in there w/o yanking the radiator out so Im trying to use a breaker bar & the motor keeps rolling over.

thanks
Bob

use a barring tool if you can get your hands on one.

 

[Bobalos]

I have an air ratchet, but it would surely not have the guts to get those bolts loose, which is why Im trying the leaverage approach.



the belt is on, but its still spinning the motor over. I tried rapping it with a hammer, but no joy there either.



what does the end of the "barring tool" look like. is it a 1/2" wratchet drive or something you can make in the garage or some special tool that really only works if right???



thanks guys

Bob

 

[wtfd6]

it engages the flywheel like the starter. there is a plug in the housing on the back of the engine below the turbo area where it goes in. here is a link to the one from snap on. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=56074&group_ID=1294&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
I think you can get them from cummins also.

Mark