[Farkyard]

Discovered last night that the zook has developed an oil leak from the front of the motor. I can't see exactly where it is coming from but area would seem to suggest crank seal or gasket on timing chain cover. Bit of reading suggests that the gasket may have been a common issue. Can anyone advise as to if the repair of either will require the motor to come out and associated mega labour costs or could it be done with some extra room made by just taking out radiator? Cheers in advance for thoughts.

[klutched]

Would most likely be timing cover or sump, possibly tappet covers but you should be able to see that.

If its your timing cover you'll just have to take the radiator out and the waterpump fan.

If it's your sump you'll need to take out your diff and undo your steering. <--- massive cunt of a job

[Farkyard]

Cheers klutched. Seems to be higher than what I perceive as being sump but definitely lower than tappet covers from what I can see. Think I may throw a bit of degreaser at it over weekend and see if can get a bit more of a definitive idea on where its coming from. It's such a bloody tight little area in there that it is hard to bloody get a decent look.

[klutched]

Yeah, i think my timing cover is leakig aswell. Once the radiatoe and shit is out you'll be able to see it well.

[atari4x4]

going by the last wheeling trip, i'd put my money on the front crank seal

[Farkyard]

Can front crank seal be done without pulling the motor Atari?

[atari4x4]

yeah, pretty sure although i've never had one done on a H series...

just had a suss of the FSM & looks like it just presses into the timing cover once the crankshaft pulley has been removed, will need to remove the radiator etc to make room.

[Farkyard]

Ah good news then if that the case.

[Farkyard]

Any further thoughts on if yas reckon safe to drive still if oil levels maintained?

[atari4x4]

yeah, it's just going to make a bit of a mess.

[Farkyard]

Cheers mate. Curious too Atari on your thoughts from earlier re my last trip causing the leak. Did it look too extreme!?

[atari4x4]

nah, nothing too extreme just mud baths aren't good for seals... i did both in my silver swb on separate occasions & the rear main has gone on the blue wagon recently from mudding.

skid plates will stop alot of the slop getting up into the engine bay, i know there have been a few revisions on the genuine rear main seal over the years not sure about the front crank shaft seal, but i wouldn't be surprised if there has been an update on the design/material.

i reckon if it's dripping a fair bit i'd say it's crank seal & if it's the timing cover it will weep from the mating surfaces rather than drip/gush out.

[Farkyard]

Yeah I had heard mud bad for Em. That xrox bar is pretty good though at lessening amount of mud that gets in with the bash plate diverting a fair bit of it. Would love to get the full length under protection but don't have coin at moment.

Oil is dripping slowly at this point but not catastrophic. I'm a bit more relaxed about it than I was initially. Have had time to breath out!

[shabz]

Front crank seal. it's hard to see but the lower radiator inlet hose will be covered in oil. It's almost directly below the crank pulley. Seal is easy to change, getting to it is a little trickier. Removing the radiator and fan gives heaps of room.
Follow the workshop manual. I've done it without having to remove the sump or rocker covers, just loosen all the bolts and pried them up with a screwdriver, giving it 2-3mm room to move, bit fiddly but saved lots of work.
I did mine a few years ago in about 3-4 hours taking my time.