Leaking Timing Cover 3.0

[bgold87]

Hey guys, had my motor rebuilt and getting a pretty good leak from bottom of timing cover or crank seal. I know there’s a tool to push the seal down in there, but is there something else I can use? Don’t want to buy a tool for this.

Also, what’s best gasket sealant to use for this stuff?

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, you have to know where its leaking from. 90% of leaks on a 3.0 are a rust hole in the timing cover it rusts because the cover is bolted on to the motor without paint, and when they paint the engine, the area behind the front damper pulley does not get painted.

next, if its a seal, you pull the seal out and you replace it. that usually requires the removal of the motor

if its the rubber gasket between the oil pan and the timing cover, just replace the gasket (requires pulling the motor to pull the oil pan)

 

[bgold87]

Thanks Scott, the gasket I bought has the seal, timing gasket, and timing cover to oil pan gasket so just going to do all 3.

 

[Bondo]

had my motor rebuilt and getting a pretty good leak

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... What does the rebuilder says 'bout the leak,..??

 

[bgold87]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... What does the rebuilder says 'bout the leak,..??

He said find out what it is and let him know. He said the crank seal in the cover looked new when re put it back in and the the multi piece oil pan gasket made the timing area tricky. It’s probably easier for me to replace the gasket/seal than drag boat to him.

i don’t think the engine has to come out unless I need to do the pan.

 

[achris]

Almost impossible to replace the cover without removing the pan. Not if you don't want it to leak. There's no 'short cut' on jobs like this. Do it right or don't do it at all. Either pull the engine, or take it back to the guy who should have done the job properly in the first place.

Chris......

 

[Ed Harris]

I replaced my cover with the engine in the boat. Had to hold front of the motor up with chain hoist though. Loosened several of the pan bolts to drop the front of the pan just a bit to get the flat rubber seal in. Made sure everything is clean with a scraper and some brake cleaner. Took my time and got everything just right. Make sure you put the balancer on all the way. If not it will leak around the round crank seal. Might want to check that before you do anything. Check the belts and see if they are lined up straight.

 

[Scott Danforth]

He said find out what it is and let him know. He said the crank seal in the cover looked new when re put it back in and the the multi piece oil pan gasket made the timing area tricky. It’s probably easier for me to replace the gasket/seal than drag boat to him.

i don’t think the engine has to come out unless I need to do the pan.

so he took a shortcut with a seal..... on a timing cover, that takes less than a minute to drive out and replace?

what other parts of the rebuild did he shortcut?