[Eric Wurth]

Ok I have a question for the Knowledgeable.

some fill in history, its a 97 coily tin top SK80v running the G13ba 1.3 engine. I'm currently the second owner of the car, previous owners were an elderly retired couple that toured the great Australia with this car. Anyway the engine has 265000klm on it. I suspect that it has been overheated in the past due to cold start piston slap from the 3rd and 4th pistons and the fact that both these cylinders burn oil. After suffering through the dreaded carburettor problems (if I stripped any more off the carby, all that would be left is the air cleaner and the hole in the intake manifold) but I got it sorted and its running good now, and not bad mileage to boot

So my current problem is that the engine has developed an oil leak from the front of the engine. it only leaks when driving on the road, does not seem to leak if I clean it all up and idle it in the driveway. I drive 50klm a day to and from work and the oil that leaks out is enough to cover the inside of the passenger front tyre and most of the front diff, when its parked up is when all the oil drips to the ground. Normally small oil leaks don't bother me but im loosing around 500ml to 500klm, recent trip from Gladstone to Bundaberg and back.

I'm guessing front crank shaft oil seal

[Zook_Fan]

So what exactly is the question?

[Gwagensteve]

I'd be more worried about the broken piston skirts. That's the source of the "piston slap"

Before you replace the front crank seal, pull the sump and check for bits of piston. Might adjust your priorities.

[Eric Wurth]

I would like to get another 6 months of daily driving out of it before rebuilding

So My question is, can I replace the front crankshaft oil seal with the engine in the car? Is it possible to buy just the front oil seal?
and if I choose it run with the oil leak will it lead to oil contamination of the camshaft drive belt and its failure

[Jezza86]

why rebuild 'that' motor that sounds like it could be more then a little fucked. why not get a different one, rebuild that, and slap it in one Saturday?

[Zook_Fan]

I agree with Jezza, you will be better off to replace the engine and drop it in.

As for your question, yes you should be able to buy just the seal but a timing belt kit wouldn't be a bad idea at those k's if you intend to keep and rebuild the motor you've got. Yes if you have a leak contamination can get into the motor, but no oil should not kill the camshaft drive belt. It's a common leak that people ignore for a long time before addressing.

And yes, piston slap is a far worse indicator of the condition of your motor than an oil leak.

[tonyevans]

And it most likely leaks BECAUSE of the piston damage