Front Main Seal Leakage

Dave Clifton

Dave Clifton

New member
Hey guys! Happy 4th next weekend! My Scout doesn't have a lot of miles just a lot of garage time. I noticed that even before switching to the 15w-40 swepco that I have an irritating drip starting from my front main crank seal. It just seems a little worse now than when I was running the 20w-50.

Is there any additive that is tried and true to re-con that seal?

Thanks!!

Dave
 
No "additive" like a new seal:d
seriously, my 1210's front seal leaked for years and softened the front engine mount. That was a to-do list item when I bought it. 2 years ago I finally popped the coin and got the front hub/pulley speedi sleeved, and a new seal and she has been leak free ever since. I also cleaned the accumulated crud and put in a new engine mount. It's a better feeling you can get than buying "mechanic inna can".
 
Unto each his own. I stay away from oil additives, I spend enough on the "guud" basic stuff. Thickening the oil might slow a leak, but on an otherwise good engine, I myself haven't seen thickeners(stp, motor honey) do much. Besides wasting dinero, thicker oil really puts the brakes on lube flow , especially when it's cold.
 
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Additives like seal swellers effect all seals in the engine. The rear main if not leaking now will likely start leaking after the sweller is no longer needed and not added to the oil.

I vote fix'er right when you can. Not a big deal to replace, probably a short weekend job. Could even be accomplished it one good long Saturday.
 
Let it drool oil dave! By this time you should have quick release fasteners all over the front end of the rig so replacing the seal is no big deal!

Stay away from any snakeoil in the oil! Who cares if it leaks as long as it doesn't leak too bad to be able to drive.

No doubt there is a mechanical issue regarding the seal/crank hub interface, a swollen seal won't fix that, in fact, it might just rip completely out of the seal case and ya end up with three quarts pumped on the floor in an instant. There is only one use for snakeoil, that is to separate the great unwashed masses from their cash!

Ya oughtta see what the inside of an engine or trans looks like after being doped with "seal sweller"!!
 
Thanks to all for the consistent answers! That's why I ask them on this forum!!

She'll drool for now. And who knows, maybe the 300 miles I'm putting on her this July 4th weekend will help soften that seal a bit. Wyoming here I come!

Quick-release front end?!?! I wish!!!:icon_surprised:

oh, michael...cooling problem gone. Ran the a/c all last weekend in stop-and-go traffic in 95+ temp days. Never went over 210! (195 thermostat).:thumbsup:
 
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