When to change a gasket?

[91417nut]

Hi.
when is the best time to change a gasket? When you can see it dripping? Is it best to preemptively change it?

I thought I had a leak from the front main seal, after noticing oil on my the shrouds and engine mounts. I dropped the engine and traced it back to the oil pressure sending unit, and I think is the oil pump.
The engine has never been apart, and I assume it is still the original pump.
Is it safe to unbolt, replace the gasket, and bolt the pump back on?
Will that fix a minor leak?

I'm a little scared about touching the surface if it may cause interference with the pump and crankshaft. If I'm not changing the pump should it just slide right back in?
Thank you

[Tobra]

Check out this tech article on this very subject

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The pump is held pretty tightly in the case. It is often necessary to loosen the case through-bolts on either side of it so that there is enough give to pry the pump out. (That's what those tabs on the sides of the pump cover are for.) Note that I haven't done this job, but it sure looks like a pain in the patoot.

To answer the question in the title: Don't disassemble things that aren't leaking. If something needs to come apart for other reasons, replacing any gasket in there is not a bad idea. (It's mandatory in many cases!) But if you don't have to take something apart, and it isn't leaking currently, don't disturb it.

--DD

[Tobra]

I would be more inclined to top the oil up regularly than to do this job unless it were leaking pretty steady.

[sammyg2]

It;'s times like this when I remember what my dear ole dad used to say. He'd say:

"Son, work that's not necessary is not necessary".