While under my truck the other day I noticed what looked like a a main seal leak. I've read on some other forums regarding this job and it doesn't look too bad. Does anyone have any first hand experience with this job? Any advice is welcome.

 

What engine?

 

4.7. (it seems like the older style engines are a pain)

 

I have replaced two "front" main seals on the 4.7l V8 in the Dakota.

Definitely use the Fel-Pro orange gasket. I had to replace an OEM seal (black) after only 8K miles because it started leaking.

Get a good gear puller designed for the Dodge 4.7l harmonic balancer. You do not want to mess up the threads inside the crankshaft bolt hole.

You can work from underneath the truck with the splash guard removed.

Heat the balancer up to no more than 200 degrees prior to installing it, this will make it easier to slide on when tightening the bolt down. DO NOT OVERHEAT the balancer, you will damage the seal.

Its a good time to replace the thermostat while you are working in that area.

 

If you are talking about the timing cover gasket or the crankshaft seal, they are pretty simple. The harmonic balancer is the most challenging part unless you have the miller tools. I do have all of the proper miller tools to remove and install the harmonic balancer properly and would sell them. I have no need for them anymore.

 

I noticed yesterday i have this exact same problem. Jpayne what u want for the tools?

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=391370_0_0_

Is it something like that?

 

I'm going to chime in here. I don't what to make this post about oil.
I bought my Dakota about two years ago it had a leaking front crankshaft seal
that I was prepared to replace. I had the oil replaced with Valvoline high mileage
oil at the fist oil change. I run this oil in my Darango. The oil leak stopped.
I have had thee oil changes sense then and still good.

PS there are probably a lot of oils that have these additives I'm not recommending Valvoline.

 

I've heard about that stuff, and it probably would work, but I'm more interested in fixing the leak the 'right' way. Now...if the rear main seal starts to leak...i'm gonna go right to that oil. haha

 

How about $70 shipped? I will get all of the tool numbers so you can see what I have.

But I think I am going to redo the timing cover gasket (original) and put in a new crankshaft seal while I have the tools.