Constant front main seal leak

Philip1 · Dec 13, 2020

I've been rebuilding the engine on my truck and have been having issues with my front main seal. I've gone through 3 seals and the last attempt I've put a speedi sleeve on the harmonic balancer. The balancer is also new but I still have a leak out of the front main. I am currently running a provent 200 oil catch can and 1" crankcase feet line but no cdr. Any ideas of what could be causing my issues?

Philip1 · Dec 13, 2020

Upon further inspection it now appears to not be leaking at the front main but the oil pan behind the harmonic balancer. Is there any way to reseal the oil pan without pulling the engine or will that be my only option?

IDIBRONCO · Dec 13, 2020

You may be able to clean the leaking area extremely well and cover the outside with RTV. It's a possibility, but I wouldn't hold my breath. If it works, great. If not, the worst that you'll have to do is clean a little bit more RTV off of the oil pan when you do reseal it. Of course you could also try the "jack up the engine, remove the oil pan bolts, and then practice your Yoga techinques while trying to not drop anything into the oil pan" routine, but I don't recommend it. I think that's a lot of risk for a small chance of success.

Philip1 · Dec 13, 2020

IDIBRONCO said:
You may be able to clean the leaking area extremely well and cover the outside with RTV. It's a possibility, but I wouldn't hold my breath. If it works, great. If not, the worst that you'll have to do is clean a little bit more RTV off of the oil pan when you do reseal it.

I had tried this and it didn't work unfortunately

Randy Bush · Dec 13, 2020

I have never had very good success doing .Last for a while then starts again. With the engine out , upside down , all oil cleaned off pan and engine , then use gasket maker RTV it will solve the problem , but know that is not what you want to hear.

Randy Bush · Dec 13, 2020

IDIBRONCO said:
You may be able to clean the leaking area extremely well and cover the outside with RTV. It's a possibility, but I wouldn't hold my breath. If it works, great. If not, the worst that you'll have to do is clean a little bit more RTV off of the oil pan when you do reseal it. Of course you could also try the "jack up the engine, remove the oil pan bolts, and then practice your Yoga techinques while trying to not drop anything into the oil pan" routine, but I don't recommend it. I think that's a lot of risk for a small chance of success.

Think I would rather pull the engine and do it right then go through all that fighting

CDX825 · Dec 13, 2020

If its leaking where the timing cover meets the oil pan then pull the timing cover and re seal it. Its a pain but better than pulling the engine.

Philip1 · Dec 13, 2020

CDX825 said:
If its leaking where the timing cover meets the oil pan then pull the timing cover and re seal it. Its a pain but better than pulling the engine.

That is where it is leaking. This would probably work much better

IDIBRONCO · Dec 14, 2020

Randy Bush said:
Think I would rather pull the engine and do it right then go through all that fighting

I completely agree.

IDIBRONCO · Dec 14, 2020

Philip1 said:
That is where it is leaking. This would probably work much better

I thought of suggesting that, but it seems like a lot of people squeal when it gets mentioned.

MtnHaul · Dec 14, 2020

A while back I thought I had a front main seal leaking but it turned out to be a leak at the mechanical lift pump. It's amazing how air movement affects the travel of oil on the engine.

Randy Bush · Dec 14, 2020

Yes pulling the front cover could work, but also the chance rear is getting bad too and needs resealing. I would really look it over myself.

Philip1 · Dec 14, 2020

Randy Bush said:
Yes pulling the front cover could work, but also the chance rear is getting bad too and needs resealing. I would really look it over myself.

I just got done rebuilding the engine, installing it and getting it buttoned up. Its most likely a mistake on my part leading to the leak on the front

Randy Bush · Dec 14, 2020

how did you seal it the first time? A gasket or Form a gasket RTV.

Philip1 · Dec 15, 2020

Rtv. I think I used too thin of a layer when I put it together

Constant front main seal leak

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