Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Front Crank Seal

[CumminsFarmer]

Hey guys,



The front crank seal on my p. u. has always weeped, ever since I bought it. I recently had the oil changed (and pretty much the whole front end rebuilt incidentally) at a shop while on the way home from a business trip. The tech noted the front crank seal was leaking. I told him not to worry about it. Anybody else have a weep behind the vibration dampener? I recently put a scotch-brite pad inside my PCV pill-bottle to absorb messy vapors but Im pretty sure it hasnt caused the seal to go out or leak worse. No drips on the driveway, just some residue on the sway bar.



-Cole



P. S. - Front end got new hubs, ball joints, u-joints and brakes. 127,000 miles, and the front end literally locked up when I pulled in for an oil change. How's that for maximum use!!!

 

[EdK]

Mine too!

Mine is leaking too, except I need to park over cardboard in the garage to collect the drips! It's now blowing back to the transmission skid plate, so it's about time I pick up the repair kit at Cummins.

 

[rweis]

I had the sleeve and seal kit done ~ 75k, stopped it. It started after a dealer replaced the VP44. Go figuer.



Bob Weis

 

[BWagnaar]

I did it twice so far... The first time i installed some grease on the seal... Thats a no-no for those of you that didn't know. A week later i had the front cover off to fix that leak and re-do the crank seal. It still weeps a bit.

 

[EdK]

Mine too

Bob Weis...



That's EXACTLY when mine began leaking, right after I replaced the injector pump! I rechecked and rechecked everything I touched, then realized it was the front crank seal. I still wonder WHY after the pump?



Ed

 

[Timbeaux38]

Had mine done at about 90k... But my stupid oil pan gasket leaks everywhere, not to mention the blow by tube that we lengthened blowing crap all over everything... . I just gave up, and have resigned myself to the fact that the truck doesn't leak oil, it sweats horsepower.

 

[WestTN]

EdK, The seal is Teflon. It is required to be installed DRY. There must not be any oil on it. I'm wondering if the front cover was removed for some reasonP was replaced. If so, oil may have gotten on the crank then.

 

[BWagnaar]

My leak started after replacing the injector pump too... . But, i thought the gear on the pump had to come off more so a pulled on that too much with a pully puller and bent the front cover. Changed the front cover and used grease on the seal. The seal leaked every where so i pulled the cover again and properly changed the seal.

The guys at the dealer might have done something along those lines...

 

[JCutter]

the truck doesn't leak oil, it sweats horsepower.

Ha Ive used that line before. thank for letting me use it in a not knowing sort of way.



if you go to napa they can get a seal for about 35 dollars instead of 50 some through the dealer. ill try and look up the part # in the morning.



mine has a grove on the crank when i replaced mine and it only helod for a month or so. ill probably go with the sleve and seal next time.

 

[EdK]

Cummins kit

I believe the Cummins seal kit has a plastic sleeve to center the seal on the shaft when assembling. Anyone know if the NAPA seal comes with it?



Ed

 

[JCutter]

yes it does

 

[JLittle]

Orielly auto parts sell a federal morgal seal for $25 with plastic sleeve or whole cover kit for like $40 something

 

[diesel DOG]

125,000 miles and mine was just replaced cost me 424 including the tax.

 

[diesel DOG]

now timing cover is leaking a bit which is a bigger job for the winter