Crankshaft Front Oil Seal Replacement

SANDSTORM58

MEMBER
1998 DODGE CARAVAN
3.3L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
360,000 MILES

I'm aware all 3rd Generation Dodge Grand Caravans w/3.3L engines have Timing Chains and not belts, but my book only covers those with belts. I have two questions to begin with:

1) How do I remove the timing chain cover after removing the crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer assembly?

2) Do I need to remove the crankshaft timing gear to get to the oil seal to replace it?

I have a leak that's getting worse to the point of oil being blown up on the alternator and coating the serpentine belt. It's that specific symptom that pretty much tells me it's the main oil seal and I have a timing chain.

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

The crankshaft front seal doesn't require you to remove the timing chain cover. All you need to remove is the harmonic balancer/damper. Once that is off, there is a special seal removal tool that extracts the seal. See pic 1 below for the tool. It is a Chrysler tool 6341A.

Once the seal is removed, it is reinstalled using a seal tool, Chrysler C-4992. See pic 2.

The remaining pics are the directions. Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. Note: You will need to safely lift the front passenger side, remove the wheel, and remove the inner fender to make it easier.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 AT 9:12 PM

SANDSTORM58

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As it turns out I did have to remove the timing chain cover, gasket was leaking something fierce. Replaced the gasket and all the o rings but now I can't get the cover back on flush with the block, like something is keeping it from going back (approximately 1/4"). I added a pic of an area where the shaft goes through showing three metal "tabs" in a triangle form. What are they and could this be the reason the cover isn't going back on flush? The shaft was scored pretty bad too in the area where these "tabs" are on the shaft hole, will use a repair sleave I ordered when it gets here. Do I need to rotate the shaft or oil pump internal setup to line it up since the flat section I can now see goes through the rotary oil pump?

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Monday, June 20th, 2022 AT 6:40 PM

SANDSTORM58

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Here are a couple of pictures.

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Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 AT 1:55 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

I got the pics. Is the seal fully installed at the bottom? It looks like it is partially out from the surface.

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 AT 1:23 PM

SANDSTORM58

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16 POSTS

Was removed and was so brittle it blew apart. Debris all inside the pump gap so cover had to be removed. I just want to know if those tabs are supposed to be there. Read they're the backstop for the seal protecting it from the pump side. I got it all back in but the seal area as I'm waiting for a repair sleave to arrive. The shaft was scored really bad so repair was needed.