Well, I found this week-end that the front crank seal is leaking on my engine. Out of all the different vehicles I have owned over the past 40 years (from a 1937 Dodge 1 ton dump truck to a 2010 MKZ), this is a first for me. Guess, I'll be replacing that soon as I hate leaks from anything. Just have to get the seal, have the time and be I the mood to replace it (depending on the weather also ).

 

Don't forget the band-aids and beer 👍

 

Right now, it would be band-aids and coffee . Ordered a seal from Ford and picked it up today ($10.75 including tax). Looks to be about an hours worth of work depending on how ambitious I am . I'll probably do it in about 3 weeks, after I return from AZ. just to give the old seal time to thing about what it had done (or not done ).

 

Went ahead an decided to let my friend who runs an honest garage with a good mechanic to do the job. Good thing. They had to break out the 3/4" impact to remove the 2 right side engine cradle bolts so it could be dropped the required 2" for clearance. Apparently, when the Ford dealership did my torque converter recall, it called for torqueing the cradle bolts down to a zillion lb/ft of torque (insert sarcasm here ). Otherwise everything else breezed right off. The harmonic balancer will need sleeved as it has 2 nice shiny grooves worn in it. Job should be buttoned up today.

 

Quick update: All looking good so far. Oil all cleaned off from its belly and it seems happier now that it's not drooling.

 

Just asking in case I need this someday:

1. How much did it cost for the labor to have it done?

2. According to the instructions I have, special lifting brackets are bolted to the exhaust manifold bolts, then an engine hoist must lift the engine 5". Is it better to drop the engine cradle 2" as you said? Must get a new alignment after that?

 

Total cost was $170...$7 for the seal, $31 for the sleeve, $2 for shop supplies and $130 for 1.5 hours of labor. Per the Ford shop manual, the balancer is removed per my above directions. And...Yes, you'll need an alignment afterwards. I have to get my done, steering wheel is off center. Needed my van for a couple of days, so it will have it done probably by next week.