Crankshaft front seal leaking

dnjvan · 07-16-2019, 04:34 PM

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this question, but I'll toss it out anyway:

1989 911 Carrera. Have a little oil leak, just started. Suspect crankshaft front seal. Should I be able to pull that seal and replace it without splitting the case?

Catorce · 07-16-2019, 06:11 PM

Just so I am getting this, you mean the flywheel side or the pulley side?

TravisSolomon · 07-16-2019, 09:45 PM

Hello, everybody, I am newbie over here and looking to open with you but don't know where to start.
I am Travis.

Eagledriver · 07-17-2019, 08:18 PM

This is the correct forum, and yes you can replace either crankshaft seal without splitting the case.

-Andy

dnjvan · 07-18-2019, 06:35 PM

Thanks, Andy. Expected that should be the case.

And to answer the other question, I was talking about the end of the crankshaft closer to the transmission -- that is, toward the front of the car. Sorry if I used any incorrect terminology.

florio · 07-19-2019, 01:47 PM

Then you will need to drop the engine with the transmission, and separate the two. It's actually quite easy with basic tools provided these include a torque wrench to do up the flywheel bolts. The latter should be replaced as they are stretched upon torquing. If this is your first time, you should read up on dropping the engine. Wayne's book would be a great investment just to have a good idea of what lies ahead. Once the flywheel is off, you can pull out the bearing with a pick or a couple of small self-tapping screws driven in on the side of the bearing. Other suggestions will also work, including buying a dedicated tool for this.
Good luck,

dnjvan · 07-20-2019, 08:15 AM

Thanks, Florio. I pretty much assumed one would remove the engine/transmission together and then go from there. Have done Corvairs, 914s, VWs (old rear engine air cooled ones), but just haven't had the engine out of the 911 yet. Just wanted to be sure the seal can be extracted in the more-or-less conventional fashion with the crank in the engine (so I'd know how much time to set aside for this little project). For the moment, just keeping an eye on it to see how serious (how urgent) it is. Hopefully can get through the rest of the driving season and do it this winter at very least. :-)

You mentioned "Wayne's book." Have the Porsche factory manuals, among others, but what is the "Wayne's book" you are recommending? Can't have too many books, you know.