1g Cant stop this oil leak!

[oren hughbanks]

Hey guys I need some input here. So I've got about 5k on my rebuild now, and I have been plagued by this oil leak.

The oil pump / front case was used, and in good shape definitely had very low miles on it. I replaced the front main seal during the assembly. After about 1k miles, it started leaking slightly. Over time its gotten worse so I did the TB removal to get the seal, and replaced it with a timken front main seal from AutoZone. Looked good for one day, then It started leaking again.

So now I figure it's the oil pump seal. So back it, another TB job, and rereplacethe oil pump seal, and I made sure to check for grooves on the oil pump pulley, looked good.

So now I still have this oil leak. DoD both seals and it's still leaking. My questions are,

1. Should I use OEM front case seals?
2. Is there also a seal on the balance shaft? I kept mine, but I'm not sure if there is a oil seal under that pulley too. Could that leak as well?
3. Could too much crank case pressure be forcing the oil through the front main seal? I've checked all my pcv stuff it's all in good order.
4. Are there any bolts that I could missing that could be causing a leak? My timing cover is missing a few.

Also, could it be leaking from behind the oil pump itself? I wouldn't think so since its all pressurized, and you would know for sure it's leaking. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Oem, felpro is also good anything can look did you install everything correctly, are youre the oil pump is leaking, use some dye to help narrow it down.

 

[oren hughbanks]

As far as I can tell, it's coming from right under the harmonic balancer. I'm getting a little oil on the timing belt too.
Have u tried the trick of shortening the springs on the seal so it gets a little tighter seal?

 

[92AWDHX40]

It could be splashing how about the oil pan no trick just make sure the seal isn't damaged, or the spring is broken ive done this a lot, just on the last build but sounds like the front case seal, isn't sealing.

 

[Mischif]

Did you make sure to lube up the seals before you installed them?

 

[oren hughbanks]

Yeah lubed them up, original seal I used red hi temp grease, and the second one I used ARP moly lube. I couldn't see any grooves on ththerank but there might be one, would I be able to not push in the next seal as far? Should I put a little permatex ultra black around the outside?

 

[bonecollector]

I've always installed oil seals flush with top by using a seal driver slightly larger then the seal its self.
Some other possibility are... The engine mount bolt that requires rtv. The front case "castle" plug o-ring? The balance shaft belt tension pulley bolt might also require sealant if i remember correctly that's a open hole to the backside of the front cover.

 

[turtlebain]

1. Should I use OEM front case seals?
Yes. Why wouldn't you spend a couple of bucks for peace of mind?
2. Is there also a seal on the balance shaft? I kept mine, but I'm not sure if there is a oil seal under that pulley too. Could that leak as well?
Yes and yes, I have the seal if you need it, deleted mine.
3. Could too much crank case pressure be forcing the oil through the front main seal? I've checked all my pcv stuff it's all in good order.
Possibly, it should seal with OEM. Not sure on this one. Excessive crank case pressure would be another issue altogether.
4. Are there any bolts that I could missing that could be causing a leak? My timing cover is missing a few.
As stated if there are any bolts missing from front case, order replacements. The ones on the timing cover wouldn't make a difference if you are talking about the plastic cover. Make sure they have RTV if required. Follow your FSM!
Also, could it be leaking from behind the oil pump itself?
Yes, but it would leak into the oil pan.

To me, the key here is to clean up all the oil, then see where it's leaking from.

 

[oren hughbanks]

Thanks turtlebain for the reply. I have used timken seals before and they have always Been fairly good quality, I'm curious as to why this possibly didn't seal. I guess I could have tweaked it just enough to not seal.

I will double check for a groove on the crankshaft. If there is one, how do I go about replacing the seal and dealing with that groove? I saw a thing on Jafro YouTube. He said u can shorten the spring a few loops for a tighter seal. Never tried it.
My front case was meticulously installed. I spent hours cleaning every surface, making sure every bolt was torqued correctly. So I wouldn't think it was that,

 

[donniekak]

Remove the timing belt, and blow the entire area clean with brake clean and compressed air. With the timing belt on, but timing cover off, run the car and identify where the leak is coming from. Also, if any oil has gotten onto the timing belt, it needs replaced.

If it's the front main that keeps leaking check crank end play, and look for a groove in the crank snout before replacing.

There is a seal under the front balance shaft pulley, check for any up and down play in the shaft if that seal is leaking. If their is, the bearings are bad.

If the castle plug is leaking, remove it, and replace the o ring.

If the oil pump shaft seal leaks, chances are the pump is trashed, and the front case needs replaced.

 

[oren hughbanks]

Thanks Donnie for the info.
Not to second guess you but is it absolutely necessary to replace the timing belt? It has a little oil in it. But that would just suck it's a gates Kevlar belt would be a Shame cause they aren't cheap.
And everyone swears by OEM seals all around?
I replaced all the balance shaft and oil pump shaft bearings all around during my rebuild, not easy to do but they are also new.
Any luck selling your 1g Donnie?