Thread: 300tdi Rear Main Seal Question

I find it easier to lift the engine with a engine crane or hoist rather than drop the box, buts thats just me working at home.
But something major has to be moved to do the rear main which involves removing the torque converter and flex plate.
I would strongly reccomend fitting a "dowty" rear main seal if you can find one or a"turners 2.8" seal as i and others i know have had nothing but trouble from the cheapies[i got 3 weeks out of one once]

Damnnn. I mean excellent. Thanks land rover! Could you please elaborate on what a dowty is? Brand name of the seal?

Yes - you definitely have to drop the G/B. Unless you have a garage style hoist and the gear to drop the box from on high you have two choices - either a game with a pair of trolley jacks balancing the box and then moving it out of the way - or, if you want to use an engine crane (still need a trolley jack to balance the front), you've got to remove all the centre console, the metal bits of which are all pop-riveted down to make it a pain - but it does make moving it around when refitting relatively easy.

Meanwhile with the engine, what you need to do is actually raise the front as far as you can (head against firewall) and support it - this drops of the the back of the engine far enough so that you can access the top bolts holding the box on. To do this I used a tall jack onto a block of wood under the crankshaft pulley - the plus side is that you don't need to remove radiator hoses and break the cooling system.

Have fun - I've just had my G/B in and out twice over the last few weeks - now I'm getting pretty good at it

Ian

Do the steering rods need to be disconnected while supporting the engine with the trolley Jack or is there enough room? Gee this sounds like a whole weekender

Dowty was original equipment rear main seal manufacturer but no longer available unless somebody has old stock, other option is the rear main seal from turners engineering[they used to sell the dowty ones], dont get caught out with a generic unbranded rear main seal or you will be doing this job again very soon.
As stated in my above post i personally find it easier to remove the engine than the gear box[on my own at home]

I agree with redrover, much easier to just pull the engine forward than drop the tc and auto.

so turners would be better than a land rover one to avoid doing it again soon? does the fan need to be removed at the front to give the needed clearance or will straight up do it?

this is the bad boi i need

Turner Engineering LUF100430 Rear Oil Seal