Replacing Front Main Seal on 97 5.7LX

[mikehiler]

Hi all,

Found an oil leak this weekend while summerizing the boat. I've got a 1997 Crownline 210 CCR with a 5.7LX and Alpha 1 Gen II. I saw oil dripping from the front of the engine at a rate of about 1 drip a minute at idle. Oil pressure was about 40 psi. I'm pretty sure its coming from the front seal behind the harmonic balancer.

Two part question here.

1st - can the seal be replaced without pulling the timing belt cover? In my service manual, there are two procedures detailed. One in which the cover is pulled off, and one without pulling the cover. The only note I could find about which proceedure to follow was one saying the seal cannot be replaced in Gen+ engines, as the whole timing cover needs to be replaced as an assembly. I don't know if I have a Gen+ engine...

2nd - Assuming I have to pull the timing chain cover, can I do this with the engine in the boat?

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing Front Main Seal on 97 5.7LX

I don't know if I have a Gen+ engine...

Ayuh,... Post the serial #s,.. Don will know,.. 97 Should be...
Or ya could Look,... is it plastic,..??

2nd - Assuming I have to pull the timing chain cover, can I do this with the engine in the boat?

Nope, the motor'll have to come Out...
The oil pan bolts on Top of the bottom lip of the timing cover...
Cheat it, it'll Leak,.. pretty much Guaranteed...

 

[mikehiler]

Re: Replacing Front Main Seal on 97 5.7LX

Yup, plastic. Is that a "tell?"

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing Front Main Seal on 97 5.7LX

You have to replace the complete cover, not just the seal, and yes you have to pull the engine so you can pull the oil pan in order to replace the timing chain cover.

 

[mikehiler]

Re: Replacing Front Main Seal on 97 5.7LX

You have to replace the complete cover, not just the seal, and yes you have to pull the engine so you can pull the oil pan in order to replace the timing chain cover.

:Grumble: I was afraid of that. :/Grumble: