300TDI Front Crankshaft Seal - Help

[Wirksworth]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 300TDI Defender 90 and as I did not know when the Timing belt was last done I took it to a Diesel Engine specialist ( I am in the USA so no LR specialists near by) When I got it first time they did it they said there was a tiny drip from the crankcase breather so watch it. When I got home it was leaving a slick and was dripping fast. They assured me they had put the seal in properly but agreed to redo it FOC. They fitted the new seal and said it as not leaking but when I got it home it left a trail on my nice concrete drive.

They are using the old pulley and the new pulley to press the seal in and it is well greased but what can they be doing wrong as it didn't leak before and I am using LR seal

So frustrating - thanks for your advice

[AK83]

There is an o ring behind the cam belt pulley that needs to be renewed at the same time.
This can cause leaks. This can also be fitted 'incorrectly' in that you think it's fitted right, but on fitting the pulley, it goes wrong.
Other things of note to mention, if the o-ring has been missed on removal and is still on, and a new one is fitted perhaps(ie. two o rings on now) .. obviously causes issues.

Crankcase breather?
You mean the cyclone(black accessory fitted to the top of the rocker cover, injector side?) .. it's usually called the cyclone.
If leaking is it broken?
I changed all hoses .. they harden and stopped the leaks on mine .. but then found a small crack.
In the end I went bling, and got an aluminium version from Allisport(when I ordered a few other bits and pieces) .. mainly for the bling. [biggrin]

Most importantly tho is to identify that it's definitely the seal that's leaking! Oil leaks can from from everywhere(literally on an old 300 tdi).
Mine did. Classic leak is the thin o-ring on the oil housing thermostat. Oil then migrates to 'all over the place' leaving you thinking that some other section/part/thing is leaking and you replace that only to be confronted with yet more leaking!

Unless the mechanics really botched it up, I reckon it's quite unlikely that the seal would leak 'immediately' after fitting a new one.
How long between they fix it, and it's leaking again?

Anyhow .. welcome to 300 Tdi ownership!