Front Crank Seal - should I bother replacing while doing Timing belt?

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Included with my timing belt kit is the front crank seal. I'm wondering if I should bother replacing this, as I don't believe it's leaking and a search doesn't find anyone who has ever indicated they ever had one of these leaking. I find references to the rear main leaking, but not the front.

If I do replace it, I see mention of needing a special tool, but am I correct in thinking it's not really required? I figure I just mark everything first and then use my impact gun to take the crank bolt out. Timing belt sprocket should then come off revealing the seal, no? Removal and replacement should be about the same as the cam seals, right?

[rollerton]

Yeah. But the crankshaft is sort of hard to lock tight enough to get the bolt out. Then the crank gear is seized to the shaft.
BUT! if you get that far yank the seal and replace carefully.
I've never replaced one, ...my special logic tells me if it's not leaking now then if I start messing with it I could screw up a good thing. Maybe I don't get the seal in right and it leaks after?

[old guy]

My opinion: If it isn't leaking don't mess with it. I changed my 2nd TB a few months ago (140k) and there was no sign of leakage.

Edit: And it takes a pretty bad ass impact wrench to remove that bolt. Better count on a 4-foot breaker bar.

[J-jizzle]

Leave it alone

[Audi Skate Snow]

My opinion: If it isn't leaking don't mess with it. I changed my 2nd TB a few months ago (140k) and there was no sign of leakage.

Edit: And it takes a pretty bad ass impact wrench to remove that bolt. Better count on a 4-foot breaker bar.

this!

[MIDNITEAUDI]

My opinion: If it isn't leaking don't mess with it. I changed my 2nd TB a few months ago (140k) and there was no sign of leakage.

Edit: And it takes a pretty bad ass impact wrench to remove that bolt. Better count on a 4-foot breaker bar.

I had the dealership replace this seal 3 times because it leaked every time after they replaced with new and it wasn't even leaking to start with.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Okay, you've talked me into it - I'll leave it alone.

Thoughts on skipping the cam seals too? I really have no idea if these might be leaking or not, since the valve cover gasket was leaking all over.

Car has 92K miles - first time timing belt change. Yes, I AM doing the water pump. I removed the lower cover to find it was just starting to leak.

[boostedAvant]

If it ain't baroque, don't fix it.

[Audi Skate Snow]

Okay, you've talked me into it - I'll leave it alone.

Thoughts on skipping the cam seals too? I really have no idea if these might be leaking or not, since the valve cover gasket was leaking all over.

Car has 92K miles - first time timing belt change. Yes, I AM doing the water pump. I removed the lower cover to find it was just starting to leak.

Check if they are leaking... when pulling off the front timing belt cover you will be able to see if they are leaking. If they are not leaking... do not replace them.

The front crank seal is very easy to install wrong... the "lips" on the seal go inwards towards the crank and if they get creased, bent or anything wrong then it will not seal and it will piss oil everywhere.

[Audiguy1234]

I used an 8 foot extension to take it off and put it on. I wouldn't touch it unless you have a crazy impact gun or long extension.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Check if they are leaking... when pulling off the front timing belt cover you will be able to see if they are leaking.

Already up to that point - see above - it was somewhat inconclusive given that the valve cover gasket was leaking. They certainly weren't leaking in any significant way (if at all), so I'm going to skip them. This has already turned into quite a "while I'm in there" project, so trimming some items from the list will get this car back on the road sooner rather than later (good thing for backup vehicles).

[Audi Skate Snow]

Already up to that point - see above - it was somewhat inconclusive given that the valve cover gasket was leaking. They certainly weren't leaking in any significant way (if at all), so I'm going to skip them. This has already turned into quite a "while I'm in there" project, so trimming some items from the list will get this car back on the road sooner rather than later (good thing for backup vehicles).

nice. well post up any more questions if ya need help.

[Justin@FCP]

Check if they are leaking... when pulling off the front timing belt cover you will be able to see if they are leaking. If they are not leaking... do not replace them.

The front crank seal is very easy to install wrong... the "lips" on the seal go inwards towards the crank and if they get creased, bent or anything wrong then it will not seal and it will piss oil everywhere.

I had to make this decision too on my Passat. It came with the kit, and the tech that did my TB left it up to me. He said that the best thing to do would be replace them since he was in that area already. Especially with the higher milage that I have it wasn't a bad thing. So I had him do it, just to have the piece of mind I knew it was done.

[A4_Mike]

If it's anything like the rear, I would not replace it unless the current one is leaking. I had a respectable shop replace my rear main seal while the clutch was being replaced. It took them 3 times to install it without oil leaking.

[SJorge3442]

So is the general concensous to just leave the seal alone if it isnt leaking? Doing my TB this weekend on my 3.0 and this is the only thing that I was worried about.

[Dubsport Inc]

I have been a tech for 17+years and I have only seen a handful of leaks at the front crank seal, I do not change them unless they are leaking!

[ADCS]

Just did my timing belt yesterday. The kit I used came with both the cam/crank seals and I did not replace either since there were no signs of leaking.

[coowhip]

If it ain't baroque, don't fix it.

However, if it is Barack, replace it.