It appears that I have developed a leak at the front main seal on my 02 7.3L.
It looks like it should not be too tough of a job, if my eyes are not failing me. I wanted to get some input on the job though...

I see a few bolts directly behind the balancer, is this a bolt on seal housing?
I've also seen that there is a front main seal installer tool. Is this really necessary to replace a seal that is in a removeable housing? I've seen these type of seals before, & all that is needed is a simple seal driver. Just wanting to make sure I don't get into a job that is going to require a "special tool" just to be able to complete it... <!-- / message --><!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig --><!-- END TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig -->

 

Are you positive its the front main seal and not the hpop or a fuel bowl/line leak?

 

correction, is it the oil pan or the front cover...either one i believe, the engine needs to come out

 

My advice, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but take it to the dealership and let them do it. I also have an '02 which I bot about a year ago, front main started leaking not long after I bot it. They only charged me about $200 to replace it.
Unless you just really want to tackle it yourself. I didn't have the time to mess with it and that seemed kind of cheap considering the effort I would have to put into it.
Your situation and expertise is obviously different...
Good luck!

 

I plan on getting under it tomorrow with a can of break clean, a few rags, & make daam sure it's the front seal. With what I saw this afternoon, it really looks to be the front seal, but now that I read thru these posts...I definitely want to take a better look.

It went from zero leak to dripping pretty steady in one day, I mean, I have had no drips or any other signs on the drive-way, & today, I have many "dollar size" puddles...
I forgot that there are oil lines on top of the engine...could I be so lucky as it to just be an o-ring?

Thanks again for the advice...

 

Is this it bro, cause it looks like we are having the same issue

 

i would replace the CPS oring first..its cheap and the cause of most of these leaks...also make sure the cover to the HPOP gear bolt isnt leaking..that will also fall onto the crank...it will be found behind the EBPS..

 

Ranger, If I recall the front crank seal is installed in the housing that holds the Low Pres Oil Pump. you have to disassemble the the oil pump to repair it. I would just by a new oil pump. comes complete with cover, gasket etc. just remove old-install new. about $60 from Ed or Melling has one out that is supposed to be slightly higher volume.
I think the NAPA one is a Melling also.
Its been a couple of years but this is a straight forward job. do it from underneath and you don't even have to pull the fan. I don't remember if you need a crank pulley puller or not. somebody on here will chime in with the info we need

Barney

 

I have a spare oil pump brand new in the box, let me know if you would like it

 

Great offer Kris. Reps sent.

 

It's nice & sunny here this morning, still cold, so I'm going to have a cup of coffee...or two...

Then I'm going to go out & clean up the oil off the bottom to see exactly where it's leaking.
I do hope it's just an o-ring, but if it turns out to be the front seal, I will definitely look into the whole oil pump replacement.

Thanks to all for the advice & input...I'm really liking this site

 

Yeh, its a great site. Some of the brothers know alot, some of us not so much. But we're all friends here and there is no such thing as a stupid question. Welcome to the 7.3 Brotherhood!

Barney

 

rangerrick63,

Here's some LPOP info: LPOP PDF in case that is where the leak is.

 

Well I checked it out...It is definitely leaking from the front seal. Oddly, it doesn't seem to leak with the engine running, but after I shut it down, & it sat for a while, it started to leak...go figure.

Thanks again for the input, & especially thanks for the PDF...that was a big help. I suppose I'll be tackling that this week...

 

Seems as though you and Brian (ChunderDown Under) have a very similar problem. LINK