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high mileage oil and leaking crank seal.

14 years ago

Ok my 20 year old vanguard crank seal started to leak a little puddly on my garage floor this spring. I didn't want to pull the engine and reseal it if I didn't have to.

I tried this 75,000 high mileage syn blend valvoline. Well, so far it has soften the rubber seal and it don't drip anymore after running it about 15 hours. Did I get lucky or does this stuff really revive old seals???????

No it wasn't from changing the oil, cause I am the oil changing nerd, so it wasn't from old dirty oil!

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Comments (8)

markymark-ca
14 years ago
In Volkwagens, which have high miles, we use common chemicals bought at any auto parts store which causes---or attempts to cause---seals to swell slightly...

TransX works great in automatic transmissions. Lucas additives are excellent products. All have a chemical compound which tries to soften the seals then make them swell slightly to seal the leak.

A small amount of oil additives geared towards older engines would and will not hurt that motor.

Clean oil not deluded by gasoline, maybe even 20/50 with some oil additives might buy you some time.

If the seal can be removed and replaced without taking the engine apart you might consider it a winter project.
rcmoser
Original Author
14 years ago
Speaking of transX, I had a turbo 350 rebuilt one time and noticed the cases of tranX in the shop when I picked it up. The guy sad the buy it by the truck loads and put it in every overhauled trans. Says it help seat the seals and clutches. ever since then when I change my transmission fluid (yes, some people really own there cars/trucks long enough to change the transmission fluid) I always add some to the syn fluid. Hadn't had no transmission problems. The turbo 350 was in a chevelle I brought used with the transmission out.
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Thanks to all of my friends here, for their condolences. I'm faring better than i thought i'd be able to. Figured out the bill paying, the check writing, how to open cans, how to heat food, and a host of other things that have to be done! Meals on wheels helps some, and the local restaurant does too. Haven't run out of cash yet. Sold a tractor this week, took a simplicity Broadmoor in trade, that works well. Got a C-man coming in for belts-probably next week. Went down to garage yesterday, and found a nice walk behind C-man mower, had a bad cable, so i fixed it. Then found a Poulan chain saw sitting beside it, in a nice case! No name, no phone number! A present maybe? Dunno. I can't start chain saws any more, if they are hard to pull the rope. My arms have always looked like knotty sticks. I'm the 90 lb. weakling as shown on the old Charles Atlas weight lifting advertisements. I thought the Army would send me home when they got a look at me in basic training camp. But, they told me to just turn sideways, and i'd be hard to hit! But being like i am, pulling lawn mower ropes hasn't helped much, and ya can't start them by coasting down a hill! I have a lot of T-shirts, but i look so awful in them i don't wear them. HTH: RJ
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tomplum
14 years ago
2nd on the seal replacement for repair. If it is indeed the seal and you can get at it, you may not have to even pull the engine.
markymark-ca
14 years ago
Even if he did have to pull the motor. It is nothing like pulling a V-8 or even a pancake Bus motor

I'd be looking at an afternoon of fun, broken tools, angry wife and dirty fingers

Pop the motor---(biggest issue would be the bottom pulley)
flip it over, do the seal, replace with oil
clean up and bolt it back (put the pulley back on if you can) they do tend to get stuck
rustyj14
14 years ago
Some have said--you can do that job, without pulling the engine.
Jack it up, remove the stacked pulley, stick a sharp ice pick up into the seal, and rock it out! They say it is an hour long job!
Yeah, but---
rcmoser
Original Author
14 years ago
Yeah, but-- you said it rustyJ

OK, why fix something that's not broke? I did mention it wasn't dripping anymore! If and when the time comes I will do what it takes to fix it if it don't blow up first beings it's got 2088 hrs on it and still has 160 psi compression in each hole.

I can only remember replacing on the engine fuel pump, starter, and two sets of spark plugs. I have a new carb. ingition switch, the old starter that still works, and coil I've had for 15 years just in case.
tomplum
14 years ago
"OK, why fix something that's not broke?" Because if the PTO slides off the shaft, this is a simple, inexpensive way to protect the tractor and the environment around it. If it is more like a sport, than so be it. Could be a testament to the witches brew they put in the oil. Time will tell!
rcmoser
Original Author
14 years ago
Well, guess what? the cooler weather has made it drip again. So some time this winter I will be R & R'ing the oil seal, Using it for fall leaf clean up right now.

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