Engine seals - boy I must have done something wrong!

[KevinG]

I recently completed the rebuild of a 2.4 high comp S motor (9.6:1), and have a big leak problem. I have leaks from the flywheel area, the crank pulley area and the left side heat exchanger near the front of the car.

To me, this translates to main seal, pulley seal and MFI drive seal.

How in the world could I have gotten all three wrong? I lubed the seal lips before install, and put a bead of curil t around the outside after install.

The only other thing I noticed was that oil pressure shows at 100 psi (indicated) on the gauge at around 5.5Krpm. I only noticed because I felt it was a great improvement over what I used to get before rebuild. I chalked it up to the new 3.2 pump with bypass.

Also - the leaks only happen when it is running and warm. I can get under it and clean the bottom of the motor, and no leaks will occur while it is parked.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin

[3.2 CAB]

I don't know if this applies to your problem, but I have seen many seals, mainly the front crank seal leak, due to the way it was installed. I have had to repair many(foreign and domestic) timing cover seals because of the design of the sealing area. The actual sealing area is somewhat like a "V" in its shape. I have found where some people have installed the seal and the inner lip of the "V" was rolled back towards the outer lip of the seal. I have found that when installing seals, once you have the seal on the shaft, I then pull it outward, toward the end of the shaft just enough for the inner lip of the "V" to flip back to the direction that it should be, instead of being curled against the shaft, towards the outer sealing lip of the "V" once the seal is pull back a little, it make the seal lay down correctly, so the sealing lips are in the correct position around the shaft to seal it up and make the seal surface area back into a "V" shape again. Hopefully I am being clear on this. Good luck!! Tony.

[KevinG]

Thanks for the input, 3.2

I cross posted this to the main board, and there is quite a bit more activity if you want to check it out.

I understand you quite clearly, and will be checking for this when I yank the motor. Should be fairly easy to see then.

[cfc]

You didn't put them in backwards did you. The solid flat part of the seal should be on the outside facing the world?