QuestionI have removed oil pan and I am looking for the rear main seal to replace it so what else do I need to remove to get to it. It is my first seal chande and our mechanic wants to charge $400 to replace but I am trying to learn how to do it myself. Its a 97 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 318. Your help is so appreciated in this matter! Thanks again.
AnswerCRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEALS
The service seal is a 2 piece, viton seal. The upper seal half can be installed with crankshaft removed from engine or with crankshaft installed. When a new upper seal is installed, install a new lower seal. The lower seal half can only be installed with the rear main bearing cap removed.
UPPER SEAL - CRANKSHAFT REMOVED
REMOVAL
Remove the crankshaft. Discard the old upper seal.
INSTALLATION
Clean the cylinder block rear cap mating surface. Make sure the seal groove is free of debris.
Lightly oil the new upper seal lips with engine oil.
Install the new upper rear bearing oil seal with the white paint facing towards the rear of the engine.
Position the crankshaft into the cylinder block.
Lightly oil the new lower seal lips with engine oil.
Install the new lower rear bearing oil seal into the bearing cap with the white paint facing towards the rear of the engine.
Apply 5 mm (0.20 in) drop of Loctite 518, or equivalent, on each side of the rear main bearing cap Sealant Application to Bearing Cap DO NOT over apply sealant or allow the sealant to contact the rubber seal. Assemble bearing cap to cylinder block immediately after sealant application.
To align the bearing cap, use cap slot, alignment dowel and cap bolts. DO NOT remove excess material after assembly. DO NOT strike rear cap more than 2 times for proper engagement.
Clean and oil all cap bolts. Install all main bearing caps. Install all cap bolts and alternately tighten to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
Install oil pump.
Apply Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, or equivalent, at bearing cap to block joint to provide cap to block and oil pan sealing Apply Sealant to Bearing Cap to Block Joint Apply enough sealant until a small amount is squeezed out. Withdraw nozzle and wipe excess sealant off the oil pan seal groove.
Install new front crankshaft oil seal.
Immediately install the oil pan.
UPPER SEAL - CRANKSHAFT INSTALLED
REMOVAL
Remove the oil pan.
Remove the oil pump from the rear main bearing cap.
Remove the rear main bearing cap. Remove and discard the old lower oil seal.
Carefully remove and discard the old upper oil seal.
INSTALLATION
Clean the cylinder block mating surfaces before oil seal installation. Check for burr at the oil hole on the cylinder block mating surface to rear cap.
Lightly oil the new upper seal lips with engine oil. To allow ease of installation of the seal, loosen at least the 2 main bearing caps forward of the rear bearing cap.
Rotate the new upper seal into the cylinder block being careful not to shave or cut the outer surface of the seal. To assure proper installation, use the installation tool provided with the kit. Install the new seal with the white paint facing towards the rear of the engine.
Install the new lower rear bearing oil seal into the bearing cap with the white paint facing towards the rear of the engine.
Apply 5 mm (0.20 in) drop of Loctite 518, or equivalent, on each side of the rear main bearing cap Sealant Application to Bearing Cap DO NOT over apply sealant or allow the sealant to contact the rubber seal. Assemble bearing cap to cylinder block immediately after sealant application. Be sure the white paint faces toward the rear of the engine.
To align the bearing cap, use cap slot, alignment dowel and cap bolts. DO NOT remove excess material after assembly. DO NOT strike rear cap more than 2 times for proper engagement.
Install the rear main bearing cap with cleaned and oiled cap bolts. Alternately tighten ALL cap bolts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
Install oil pump.
Apply Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, or equivalent, at bearing cap to block joint to provide cap to block and oil pan sealing Apply Sealant to Bearing Cap to Block Joint Apply enough sealant until a small amount is squeezed out. Withdraw nozzle and wipe excess sealant off the oil pan seal groove.
Immediately install the oil pan.
LOWER SEAL
REMOVAL
Remove the oil pan.
Remove the oil pump from the rear main bearing cap.
Remove the rear main bearing cap and discard the old lower seal.
INSTALLATION
Clean the rear main cap mating surfaces including the oil pan gasket groove.
Carefully install a new upper seal (refer to Upper Seal Replacement - Crankshaft Installed procedure above)
Lightly oil the new lower seal lips with engine oil.
Install a new lower seal in bearing cap with the white paint facing the rear of engine.
Apply 5 mm (0.20 in) drop of Loctite 518, or equivalent, on each side of the rear main bearing cap Sealant Application to Bearing Cap DO NOT over apply sealant or allow the sealant to contact the rubber seal. Assemble bearing cap to cylinder block immediately after sealant application.
To align the bearing cap, use cap slot, alignment dowel and cap bolts. DO NOT remove excess material after assembly. DO NOT strike rear cap more than 2 times for proper engagement.
Install the rear main bearing cap with cleaned and oiled cap bolts. Alternately tighten the cap bolts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
Install oil pump.
Apply Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant, or equivalent, at bearing cap to block joint to provide cap to block and oil pan sealing Apply Sealant to Bearing Cap to Block Joint Apply enough sealant until a small amount is squeezed out. Withdraw nozzle and wipe excess sealant off the oil pan seal groove.
Immediately install the oil pan.
