Front main seal leak

[bryris]

i'm now in week two of ownership of this 2006 EB. It ususally takes a couple of months to really get to know a used vehicle...and so it goes with this one. Noticed a small bit of oil on the garage floor. Got up under there and it appears as though some oil is leaking from the main crank seal at the front of the engine. Not too sure yet how fast...I just noticed it tonight. i plan to monitor, but it seems that most every repair to this explorer is $$$$$$ based on my research. Has me a bit nervous as to whether this is a big deal or not. I'll know more in a few days after I monitor it.

Anyone dealt with this? Cost?

 

[edwx]

I replaced the front seal on my Gen 3. I'm no mechanic, and it took a while in the planning, but it was fairly simple. The biggest deal was getting good access to the crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer bolt. I used a repair sleeve on the flange and put in a new seal. There's several threads on this, and I learned the whole process from this awesome site. I'll help you with whatever I can remember. I might have done a "how to" on it but can't remember at the moment.

 

[bryris]

Thanks so much for the pics.

More data:

The pattern seems to be, when driving, dry as a bone. Then when I shut down, its all dry. Several hours go by, completely dry. Then overnight or after several hours there is a small quarter size puddle under there.

When I check the dipstick, it looks like it was overfilled...the line is above the full mark. Could simply be brimming over the top of the oil pan.

 

[bryris]

So I put a bowl under there yesterday and let it leak into the bowl for 18 hours....ended up with about an ounce of green coolant. So, it is coolant, not oil. The water pump is right above the crankshaft and after some investigation, it is seeping from the water pump or possibly the tstat housing. So, its at the dealer this morning for repair....should be covered under the used car warranty they sold with it.

Ill keep you informed for anyone who cares.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Glad to hear that it is coolant and not oil (well not really glad for you, but a better scenario since it will get taken care of under warrantee). I was really suprised to hear of the leak from the main crank seal on the front since the engine typically leaks from the rear seal before the front.