Crank Shaft Seal?

[golfinw71]

First I apologize if this has been addressed previously on the board. I've searched high and low on the forum as well as through google and haven't had any luck.

Here is the situation. I have a 2006 V8 Sport 4x4 with 133k miles. I maintain all the fluids as meticulously as I can. I did, at 100k miles, get the timing belt changed by a Toyota dealership, which was about two years ago. Up until now it has been completely leak free and problem free [knock on wood].

Now, it is leaking oil from what I think is the crank shaft seal (front main seal?). I am not positive but that is one of the reasons for the new post. Assuming it is, what are my options? If it isn't, what could it be?

I have only run Mobil synthetic. If it is the seal, is it worth taking to the dealership to change? Should I switch to high mileage synthetic? I really hate to 'live with' a leak like this when it is so young in its life. I plan on knocking at least 250k out of this sucker.

Thank you in advanced and hopefully the pictures load so you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about. I should also note these were taken right after I had cleaned the area to get a better view of where the leak might be coming from.

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[alia176]

Only 250k miles? Man, your expectations need to be increase to 350k! I'm at 320k and zero leaks or issues. I think your issue is running syn oil. Try running the high mileage stuff and see if that helps but if not, maybe return to dino oil?

Take a look at the timing belt invoice and see if any kinds of seals were included. I'm guessing not but check anyway.

 

[golfinw71]

Only 250k miles? Man, your expectations need to be increase to 350k! I'm at 320k and zero leaks or issues. I think your issue is running syn oil. Try running the high mileage stuff and see if that helps but if not, maybe return to dino oil?



Take a look at the timing belt invoice and see if any kinds of seals were included. I'm guessing not but check anyway.

350k is the new target, maybe more! Thanks for the feedback. I'll give the high mileage syn and run and report back.


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[BlackWorksInc]

I have seen crank seals fail on the V6's occasionally, not so much on the V8's. But that's not to say it isn't possible. Only bummer is that to replace the oil seal you have to redo the timing belt (which if it's soaked in oil it's contaminated and probably needs to be replaced anyways.)

I'd see if you can have someone diagnose it better in person than over the internet as that should give you a better idea of what direction to go.

Post Note-

It may not be the crankshaft seal, but rather the cam shaft seals; I have seen those leak on the VVTi V8's (I just saw yours is an '06). See if the oil is coming from where the valve cover, cylinder head, and timing cover meet. Unfortunately it's the same issue in regards to needing to redo the timing belt, also because of the weird way Toyota did the camshafts on these VVTi engines you have to pop them off and partially tear them down to replace the seals.

 

[golfinw71]

to replace the oil seal you have to redo the timing belt (which if it's soaked in oil it's contaminated and probably needs to be replaced anyways.)



I'd see if you can have someone diagnose it better in person than over the internet as that should give you a better idea of what direction to go.



Post Note-



It may not be the crankshaft seal, but rather the cam shaft seals; I have seen those leak on the VVTi V8's (I just saw yours is an '06). See if the oil is coming from where the valve cover, cylinder head, and timing cover meet. Unfortunately it's the same issue in regards to needing to redo the timing belt, also because of the weird way Toyota did the camshafts on these VVTi engines you have to pop them off and partially tear them down to replace the seals.

There actually is some oil residue in areas that are similar to cam shaft seals going bad (from what I can tell by pics here)

Either way, if it is soaked in oil, does that shorten the life of the belt?

It is super frustrating because I just paid Toyota $1200 (about two years ago and less than 30k miles ago) to redo all this. They were to do al the seals in the area while they had it pulled apart. I'll check the receipt tomorrow to see what they said they did.

Now, if I'm to get this done again who do I go to? A different Toyota dealership? How can I be sure it'll be done right so I don't keep dealing with this and spending crazy amounts of mula.

I really appreciate the feedback and have some homework to do.




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[BlackWorksInc]

There actually is some oil residue in areas that are similar to cam shaft seals going bad (from what I can tell by pics here)

Either way, if it is soaked in oil, does that shorten the life of the belt?

It is super frustrating because I just paid Toyota $1200 (about two years ago and less than 30k miles ago) to redo all this. They were to do al the seals in the area while they had it pulled apart. I'll check the receipt tomorrow to see what they said they did.

Now, if I'm to get this done again who do I go to? A different Toyota dealership? How can I be sure it'll be done right so I don't keep dealing with this and spending crazy amounts of mula.

I really appreciate the feedback and have some homework to do.




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That's tough, usually labor & parts are covered for 1yr after the repair. So it would fall out of the dealer's repair warranty, which truly sucks. I don't actually know the numbers per say (I don't think I've ever seen a "if coolant gets on it it dies 50k earlier" statement), but usually you don't want any coolant or oil on the belt as it will degrade prematurely according to Toyota and the SAE. It's a crappy situation as that's easily a 10hr job.

 

[golfinw71]

I have seen crank seals fail on the V6's occasionally, not so much on the V8's. But that's not to say it isn't possible. Only bummer is that to replace the oil seal you have to redo the timing belt (which if it's soaked in oil it's contaminated and probably needs to be replaced anyways.)



I'd see if you can have someone diagnose it better in person than over the internet as that should give you a better idea of what direction to go.



Post Note-



It may not be the crankshaft seal, but rather the cam shaft seals; I have seen those leak on the VVTi V8's (I just saw yours is an '06). See if the oil is coming from where the valve cover, cylinder head, and timing cover meet. Unfortunately it's the same issue in regards to needing to redo the timing belt, also because of the weird way Toyota did the camshafts on these VVTi engines you have to pop them off and partially tear them down to replace the seals.

Update...

I checked the receipt and all cam seals and the crank seal were replaced. As well as the normal stuff like the water pump all drive belts etc.

Here are a few shots of the cam area

Rather than spending another $1200 to get the front end rebuilt, it seems logical to try high mileage syn or Dino. Is my logic flawed?


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[alia176]

Whether or not they actually did the seals is something else. No way for you to check unless you do a mild tear down. I vote for Dino.