Replacing Front Main Oil Seal - What's Entailed?

Shotster · 02-21-2005, 01:46 PM

At least I think that's the problem. I haven't had a chance yet to get the vehicle up on ramps and examine it, but it appears my 2001 Insight with 73K miles is leaking slightly from the front (side?) main oil seal.

Assuming that's the problem, does anyone have any notion what's entailed in replacing it? I'm talking about doing it myself - not bringing it to a dealer. Has anyone done it? If not, can someone with a shop manual take a glance to see what's entailed?

I replaced the front mail seal on my 1985 Toyota pickup a while ago, and it was surprisingly simple. I'm hoping it's not too different on the Insight. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks much,
---
Steve

**b1shmu63** · 02-21-2005, 05:38 PM

Just a thought.

Clean the area carefully and make sure that it is not a crack or void in the casting. If this is the case it may be covered by warranty, and replacing a seal would not solve the problem.

Shotster · 02-21-2005, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the reply, b1shmu63.

Well, I raised the front of the vehicle, donned my coveralls, and dove under my Insight, and there's definitely oil seeping from behind the crank pulley. Based upon my experience with other vehicles, it seems like it's the main seal, but I've never done one on an Insight, so I can't be certain. I pulled off the belt and the plastic part of the wheel well, and the pulley is surpisingly accessible.

I'm ready to try to remove the pulley, but since I don't have a shop manual for the vehicle, I was hoping someone could tell me if the procedure is similar to other vehicles. When/if I get the pulley off, what am I in for? Is the seal replacement fairly straightforward?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

---
Steve

jsanford · 02-22-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotster

Thanks for the reply, b1shmu63.
--snip--

I'm ready to try to remove the pulley, but since I don't have a shop manual for the vehicle, I was hoping someone could tell me if the procedure is similar to other vehicles. When/if I get the pulley off, what am I in for? Is the seal replacement fairly straightforward?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

---
Steve

There are lots of service manuals on eBay and available other places if you google for one. Some posters here have even loaned their copies to their Honda dealers.

JustinGray · 02-22-2005, 03:23 PM

I will check for you later tonight when i get home! say round 8:00

Shotster · 02-22-2005, 03:28 PM

Thanks for the help, everyone. Nothing like a little "Insighter" information.

JustinGray · 02-22-2005, 06:39 PM

I checked in the manual...

When you pull the oil pan you need to remove the ac compressor cause its bracket is mounted partly to the oil pan.

Other than that, you have an half o ring type seal, standard stuff ... nothing special here bout replacing that.... same as usuall ... liquid gasket all around....

Hope that helps!

Shotster · 02-22-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinGray

When you pull the oil pan you need to remove the ac compressor cause its bracket is mounted partly to the oil pan.

Thanks for checking it out, Justin. I was actually hoping I wouldn't need to drop the pan at all. On my Toyota, I just pulled off the crank pulley (harmonic damper or whatever you call it), and the "O" shaped seal slides right out the front. Most folks use a seal puller, but I managed with a hook-type tool I made from an old screwdriver. It's not the pan gasket I'm thinking needs replacement, but rather the front main oil seal around the crankshaft.

Yves M. · 02-22-2005, 08:05 PM

If you need to see the pages, I can scan them and email them to you. You would have to PM me with a valid email address since the PM does not allow attachements

LoNOx 1 · 02-22-2005, 08:22 PM

This looks like it would work the same way. After the pulley comes off, remove the oil seal collar and you should be able to "hook" the seal. There is an o-ring also that is actually on the end of the crank behind the collar that needs replaced as well.
I have scanned the page but I see Yves volunteered to send it to you. Let me know if you still need it. It's about a 1.2m jpeg.(high res.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotster

the "O" shaped seal slides right out the front. Most folks use a seal puller, but I managed with a hook-type tool I made from an old screwdriver..