Rear Main Seal Testing

[Rock2610d]

1995 Eagle Talon TSI AWD 5spd

I have installed a new OEM rear main seal and am a little concerned. My crankshaft was toast after over 240,000 miles the thrust bearing was gone and the thrust surface on the crank was all scratched up.

So I get a re-manufactured crankshaft and it looks really good except the surface where the rear main seal rides has a groove in it that I can catch my finger nail on.

Is there a way I can test the seal prior to motor installation to make sure the rear main seal is not going to leak?

 

[LiquidX]

How bad is the groove on the crank surface? Can you upload an image of it?

 

[Rock2610d]

I would have to pull the rear seal case off as it is already installed. Do you think filling oil pan and tilting motor so oil would be on top of rear seal would work?

 

[LiquidX]

My question would be if the groove allows oil to run along it and exit out on the seal side. I'll wait for another to chime in on this.

 

[Rock2610d]

Well I have decided not to risk it. I am going to install another gasket....IE a double thick gasket between the block and the rear main housing. In hopes that this will allow the seal to ride on a unmolested surface.

 

[bryanwheat]

You can just buy a sleeve to install over the end of the crank. They work well if installed right, and are more durable than the surface of the crank.

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[mchustle]

Double gasket seems sketchy to me.

 

[ed1380]

I've had plenty of cranks with the groove and never had a problem with a rear main leaking.

 

[Rock2610d]

I will install a rear seal sleeve, it seems to be a good solution.