front seals leaking oil

[camryowner25]

When I took my 1998 Camry in for an oil change, the technician told me that my front seals appear to be leaking oil. The seals that are leaking are located near my timing belt. All of the seals in this area were supposedly replaced when my timing belt and water pump were replaced 15,000 miles ago. Is it possible that the seals were installed incorrectly? Or could the oily substance be power steering fluid? (My car has been leaking power steering fluid for years.) The only substance that I have noticed on the floor of my garage is power steering fluid so I am skeptical about this recent discovery. How can I tell if this guy is telling me the truth about these leaking front seals?

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by camryowner25

All of the seals in this area were supposedly replaced when my timing belt and water pump were replaced 15,000 miles ago. Is it possible that the seals were installed incorrectly? Or could the oily substance be power steering fluid?

Anything's possible. Take it back to the shop that did the timing belt.

[mazdaverx7]

remove the timing cover and check for yourself. that's really the only way to properly inspect the area. i don't let anyone work on my cars because of hack mechanics and lying to the customer. the seals that would be leaking could be the front main seal or the cam seals.

[eevee11]

When you say "front main seal" is that the same as the oil pump seal?

[ghettosled]

is your car dripping oil where its parked overnight?
i would take a technician's recommendation with a grain of salt. i think most get a bonus if they convince vehicle owners to get unnecessary work done at their shop. if you want to check things out, spray some degreaser on the bottom of the engine and see if new oil leaks down after a couple of days.

[deejayphilo]

I did my friends car because his mechanic told him same thing which charge him $1200 gor a $15 from crankshaft seal. If you did your timing belt nt too long ago he could just recommend replacing the front seal for free depending on the mileage of the car. Popping the front seal is not that hard. Removing the crank sprocket is suppose to be as difficult as I thought. But then that sprocket get stucked there. I have to drill 3/8 hole close to the shaft and forced fit a nut and used my puller. That sprocket is not that expensive too. Its just pain removing it.

[deejayphilo]

Seal you can get at autozone which is $15...and the sprocket is $30

[hardtopte72]

Sounds to me like a power steering leak being misdiagnosed. On the same note it could be incorrectly installed or not all seals replaced. On a 5sfe there is a cam seal, crank seal, oil pump seal, oil pump oring, and valve cover gasket that can leak on the front. One a 3vzfe or 1mzfe you have 2 cam seals, 1 crank seal, valve cover gasket that can leak in front. Did you replace all seals when you did the belt or just the crank. All questions that need to be asked. But agai. It is most likely a misdiagnosed power steering leak.