Front Crank Seal Problem????

[Charlie V]

Well, I ate a fan belt on the last tour. By the end of the tour I saw what looked like oil spots on the fan housing. Also heard the belt squeak a couple times - I have it a little loose to minimize pressure on the alternator bearing - on my third alternator bearing in the last 60,000kms.

So - there I am lying in bed and the thought came to me....must be the front crank seal leaking. Thought it through several times and convinced myself this has got to be the problem.

Last night I roll the car into the shop and start wrenching. We all know the amount of parts that need to be removed to access the seal. I unbolt the lower fan pulley and grab it in my right hand. Expectation is high for what I will find. As I wiggle the pulley off the crank I see......



Huh???? In disbelief I look at the back of the pulley - it too is dry.

I did wipe a minor film of dirt off the area before the picture, but it was bone dry. I got the engine mounts back in place last night. Tonight I button everything up again.

Lesson learned........be careful what you talk yourself into doing. Plus - I now know this area is OK.

New fan belt when I finish - hope to tighten it just a little. Might need to make a shim out of a beer can - thinner than the stock shims. 3 stock shims are too loose and 4 stock shims are too tight. I have a 3 day tour in a week - this will test the belt again.

Good thing I love to wrench on Rosie.

[E Sully]

I have gotten myself into similar situations. I find it is better to do extra work to give me peace of mind. Besides, while your in there you could...............

[Charlie V]

Made a couple shims out of a Coke can. Traced out a stock shim and carefully cut it with the shops sissors. Easy job - just need to go slow with the sissors.

So - I now have 3 stock and 2 coke can shims. I am satisfied with the belt now adjusted just right.