front oils seal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
front oils seal
The front oil seal on my 93 coup is leaking oil. I have searched threads. I have looked in my manual. I can not find a procedure. This is to say, what do I need to take off to get to it? Do I need to drop the oil pan, or timing chain cover? Do I need a special tool/puller to get the harmonic balancer off? The harmonic balancer bolts onto a piece the connects to the crankcase. Does it need to come off? Is there a special tool for that task?
I have had the opti off before, but it was over a decade ago. My memory is unclear. Local shop has quoted $700-$1,200 labor at $165 an hour. Ouch!
I don't think it is above my skill level, but I don't want to mess with the opti! It was just too difficult to get it right. Now that it is, best not to mess with it.
I have had the opti off before, but it was over a decade ago. My memory is unclear. Local shop has quoted $700-$1,200 labor at $165 an hour. Ouch!
I don't think it is above my skill level, but I don't want to mess with the opti! It was just too difficult to get it right. Now that it is, best not to mess with it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland Ohio
Have you verified which seal? There are three in the timing cover and then there's the timing cover gasket itself.
If you have a factory service manual from GM then all the procedures/torque specs are in there.
The water pump and optispark seals are easy to do. You need the little installation tool for the water pump seal but it's not a difficult install. The worst part will be getting the old water pump gasket off the block. Optispark is not any more difficult as well. If you have to or decide to change the crank seal it's a bit more of a process as the hub has to come off. You either need to fab your own tool (tips here on the forum) or buy the Kent Moore tool. The engine usually has to be raised slightly to allow the tool to work but I'm not 100% as I did all my seals with the engine out of the car.
For the timing cover gasket you do have to drop the oil pan. It's not difficult but again you'll have to scrape gaskets laying on the ground.
If you have a factory service manual from GM then all the procedures/torque specs are in there.
The water pump and optispark seals are easy to do. You need the little installation tool for the water pump seal but it's not a difficult install. The worst part will be getting the old water pump gasket off the block. Optispark is not any more difficult as well. If you have to or decide to change the crank seal it's a bit more of a process as the hub has to come off. You either need to fab your own tool (tips here on the forum) or buy the Kent Moore tool. The engine usually has to be raised slightly to allow the tool to work but I'm not 100% as I did all my seals with the engine out of the car.
For the timing cover gasket you do have to drop the oil pan. It's not difficult but again you'll have to scrape gaskets laying on the ground.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
I have not verified. It is the the aria of the front pully, but until I can get things off, I can't see in there to tell. I have had the water pump off before. That's not a problem. Trying to remove the opti send shivers down my spine. In fact, may be a show stopper. I don't care what anybody tells you, it is passable to get the opti in wrong. I know. I did it. There is no keyway.
It could be one of those other 2. I can look at things better if I start taking things off. It could just be the WP seal. Otherwise, I may need outside help.
The local Chevy dealer, that i have used, and did a great job before. All have died or retired. Now they no longer want to work on it. So I would need to start a new relationship.
Thanks
It could be one of those other 2. I can look at things better if I start taking things off. It could just be the WP seal. Otherwise, I may need outside help.
The local Chevy dealer, that i have used, and did a great job before. All have died or retired. Now they no longer want to work on it. So I would need to start a new relationship.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 6
From: Troy Al
It is not leaking enough to leave a puddle. Its just wet with oil on the front lower part of the engine. I noticed this when i changed the oil. I am running it a 1/2 quart low now. It was just a hair past the fill line, before the last oil change. So there could be something to what you say. Maybe watch it for a bit to see. I used the Mobil 1 high milage this last oil change. I always put Moble 1 in it.
