5SFE Engine - Front Seal Leak

[solidbluex]

I have a 1990 Celica GT, 5sfe engine, 5 speed manual. Front main crank seal appears to be leaking. Any way to change this out without a complete tear-down? Seems a shame, compression is 130 all across with 440 K miles original engine and head, 32 mpg. I really want to get 1 million miles.

[MR2Jedi]

Front cover, timing belt, crankshaft pulley, all have to be removed to do this.
No way around it. It's not that bad.

[Solid_Koolaid]

Holy crap 440K miles ! congratulations on that. I know Toyota's engines are strong but this is one solid mileage.

For your seal MR2 said it all, really not bad, you can do it with the engine in place even if it's always easier with the engine out.

[zythr]

He's probably pulling your leg. With 440K the seals along with the timing belt probably would have been changed at least twice.

[MR2Jedi]

Not neccessarily. I have 340K on my Tacoma 4x4, still no leak from front or real seal.
His may have been leaking for a long time, as many do, and he's just now fed up enough to do something about it.
Many people live with leaks and just keep adding oil.

[Solid_Koolaid]

Originally Posted by MR2Jedi

Not neccessarily. I have 340K on my Tacoma 4x4, still no leak from front or real seal.
His may have been leaking for a long time, as many do, and he's just now fed up enough to do something about it.
Many people live with leaks and just keep adding oil.

I agree. My old Tercel had 220K on it and was slowly leaking oil and come to think of it, it might have been the front seal (+ oil ring + valve seals)... I never cared much, the engine ran strong and I added a quart every 2k miles.

The 5S is a durable engine. Many high mileage Camrys had it.