Changing front main oil seal---is it a DIY project?

[jenom]

I have a 2003 Corolla leaking oil , underneath at the passanger side.
Inspected by a service mechanic,suspects the front main oil seal, total repair cost estimate $300.
When I looked at it, it looks like all the belts needs to be removed, then a pulley, and I am not sure what else ? (Timing cover ?)

Could this done at home ?
Do I need any special tools?

Any guidence/opinion would be appreciated !
Thanks!

[Raddman]

Originally Posted by jenom

I have a 2003 Corolla leaking oil , underneath at the passanger side.
Inspected by a service mechanic,suspects the front main oil seal, total repair cost estimate $300.
When I looked at it, it looks like all the belts needs to be removed, then a pulley, and I am not sure what else ? (Timing cover ?)

Could this done at home ?
Do I need any special tools?

Any guidence/opinion would be appreciated !
Thanks!

I don't have a clue but I own an 03 also and would like to hear answers to your questions also, actully it could happen to any 9th generation

I can send you blow up pictures of the area if you want along with the removal/instillation procedure...

[jenom]

Thanks Raddman, if you can send me the pictures and instructions it would be a great help.
It is a very crowded area down there, not much space to look and work.
I changed once a belt around there, very tight space !

[TrdSpeed140]

hope this helps.

[Raddman]

Thanks for the good info TrdSpeed140, jenom if you change it yourself please let us know how it turns out and if you ran into any problems, any info is appreciated, good luck

[TrdSpeed140]

np. I've got pretty much the entire repair manual for 9th gen rollas on zipped up .pdf files. not sure if they're truly complete, could be missing some minor things but I haven't really looked through it completely. If anyone wants it you can PM me or something and I can send you the zip file.

[jenom]

Thanks for all the info.

I just finished to have a closer look at the situation, and this is what I have found:

1)After removing the tire form the passanger side, there was a black plastic cover behind.
2)Once the plastic cover removed, the cranckshaft pulley bolt is visible and accessible
3)The bolt is so tight that I was able to rotate the engine by trying to loosen the 17 mm bolt
4)Looks like: I would need an impact air gun + a tool shown on picture to hold the pulley from rotating
5)Also looks like I would need a puller to pull off cranckshaft pulley from shaft

Conclusion: I was so close to it, but so far in the same time.I am going to leave this repair to someone who has all the tools needed, and I am considering to take it to a Toyota service, so they would install an "original" rubber seal, not some poor quality aftermarket piece.

Thanks again for all the help !