QuestionDavid, The engine is leaking oil from the bottom of the motor. I think it is the lower crankshaft seal. What do I need to do to replace it?
AnswerGreg,
Will give you the easiest way to do this.
remove the lower housing of the motor and use a tool called a Seal Installer/removal Tool to unseat the old seal. can be bought from the local lawn engine repair shops measure the seals outside diameter and the inside diameter the tool should have both sizes on one tool.
before driving out the old seal place the lower housing on 2 blocks of 2x4's to lessen the shock of damaging the housing.
hammer it out gently once its out simply run your finger around the seat to make sure no debris is on the seat.
Take the new Seal coat the entire seal in clean grease using your finger.
very Important
Set the seal on the seat place the tool on the seal keeping it level gently tap the new seal into the seat before reassembling the lower end unit flip it over and run your finger along the seat and seals seam to make sure the seal is properly seated and not misaligned if it is continue to tap it until fully seated.
Dont hit the tool very hard just enough to move the new seal.
Wipe off the excess grease from the outside of the seal and reasssemble your engine fill with oil and check for leaks try running the engine and check for leaks after turning it off.
If no leaks are present your just changed a seal sucessfully if you show small leaking the seal is misaligned remove the housing and tap a few more times and it should seat correctly.
What i do is when I seat a seal I place a cork plug in the seal center pour some oil onto the housing and look underneath for leaks helps alot so your not having to remove the housing constantly.
once you begin to assemble the engine use some clean grease on the shaft to allow the shaft to glide easily thru the new seal and wipe away the grease from the outside.
