Radial Seal. Replace?
 

I have my bottom timing chain cover off, and am about to start putting things back together. It didn't cross my mind until now to replace the radial seal where the crankshaft bolt and dampener are. The seal looks fine. What do you all think? Should I replace it? Is this known to leak?

If it is possible to get the seal same day, for sure yes. If it is a few days away.. man, I could go either way with it. Total gamble.

I ordered one. I cannot get to it until this weekend anyway. I am worried about how to replace it. It looks like it has to be pressed in. Has anyone done this procedure? I've looked over the forum, I cannot find anyone who has.

Front main seal?

You can pull the old one out with a pick, the new one you can tap in lightly with a large socket and hammer.

My dad has a press in his shop. Maybe I'll take a large socket like you say, and use the press to push it into place.

It doesn't require enough force to need a press. That's if we are talking about the same seal.

I'm talking about the front seal on the front cover where the dampener attaches. It's not so much the force I am worried about as the risk of pushing the seal in at an angle. I don't want to damage the seal, or not get it in there flat and even.

Assuming you mean #3 it comes out easily and would be very hard to push in if possible.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps311a2d8c.png

What do you mean it would be very hard to push in? Do you mean I would be better off with a press? Or do you mean it would be hard to mess it up just by pressing it in with a hammer?

I have installed tons of this type of seal. Have never needed a press.

I mean you just pry it out and it cannot go in.

Brandon,

Are you saying that it would not be easier to use a press? Are you saying I am better of doing it another way? What way should I do it? I have not been able to find anything on this forum or on youtube, or anywhere else. I have not even taken the old seal out yet, so I have no idea what to expect.

Maybe the misunderstanding is that I already have the cover off. I am not trying to do this with the cover on the engine. Should I do it with the cover on the engine?

It's almost impossible to put the seal in crooked. Small taps around the edges and work it in slowly and you'll be fine.

You can even use a vice as a press, it goes in that easy. Put a small amount of oil around the outer edge and start working it in.

Front Crankshaft Oil Seal Replacement | DIY at Home!


Obviously not a BMW engine, but a similar type of seal.

Why would I use as a vice as a press when I have a real press? I guess what I am asking is will it be detrimental or dangerous to use a press?

I have never used a press to install a seal like this. The seal is mainly rubber, I'm not sure why you would even want to use a press. Watch the video I posted above.

VW's use the same type of seal and I was a VW tech for about 10 years, never once used a press or special tool to install a front or rear main seal. Pick and a small hammer.

After I take the old seal out is there a lip or something that will stop me from pushing the seal in to far? Or do I just make the seal flush with the cover?

I have a sense that you haven't done this type of work before. Perhaps you could ask a friend or or acquaintance with technical training to drop over?

The problem with using a press is that you don't get any feedback. I haven't done this on a BMW but it looks just like many other vehicles. Install it like any other similar seal. To the same depth as the old one.

There is a lip to keep it from going in too far.

You are right I have never dealt with pressing seals before. I want to make sure I do this right the first time so that I don't later have oil spilling on the floor, or have to replace the seal because I damaged it or installed it incorrectly.

I think what freaked me out the most is that BMW has special tools that press the seal into the cover. I don't have those tools, so I'm having to find another way of doing it.

You are overthinking a simple operation. Carefully pry it out & apply a small amount of oil and carefully tap it in.

If you are uncomfortable, get help.

Yes, its an extremely simple procedure. Watch the video i posted and do the same. Its really hard to mess up.

I feel better now that I've watched the youtube video and listened to you guys. The repair manual just freaked me out when it said I needed special tools. Special tool usually means complicated operation to me.

I swear BMW would have a "special tool" for inflating tires if they could. Dont worry about that.

They do, der nozzle.

lol