Diagnosing oil leak, poss front crank seal

[gridgway]

My 2.0 motor is dripping oil from the front end of the engine (rear of the car). My inclination is that it's the crank seal.

Are there any signs that might help to diagnose it? What are the other options if any?

Thanks
graham

[jb]

The breather housing is at the back too.
Also the oil cooler.
Both these can leak.
Are you sure it is not the cam covers?
The only way I know of finding it is to clean it all off and try to see where new oil appears. But a leak at the top finds its way to the bottom eventually.

[gridgway]

aren't they at the other end? The gearbox end?
Graham

[gridgway]

aren't they at the other end? The gearbox end?
My leak is at the fan end. I'm hoping we've fixed the leaks at the gearbox end (breather housing although we originally thought it was the rear crank seal).
Graham

[jb]

Yes sorry I didn't read it properly my excuse is that I thought the crank seal usually leaks at the clutch end.
It is probably easier see where it comes from at the back of the car end though.

[mycar]

My crank seal went in the 911 Over time the fan atomised the leak, covering all surfaces in engine bay in a thin film of blackness. Also wafts of oily smoke in the cabin.
.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39296

[gridgway]

Ahh, yes, it was your account I read Mike. The thing I don't seem to have is oil flung everywhere and oil smell/smoke coming into the cabin. That made me wonder whether I had the same problem or different.
Graham

[jb]

Cam lines?
Timing chain covers?

[gridgway]

Thanks, I'll spend some time looking underneath on saturday so I can check those as well.
Graham

[911hillclimber]

Anywhere where there is a gasket can leak?

Hot oil will travel far. Unless the leak is obvious, clean all area with brake cleaner aerosol and run to good and hot and check as JB said.
iirc the seal by the pully cannot be simply removed as the clutch end can be which could be a real pain...
Not sure if the 2 litre early engines are the same as the 2.4 on engines so could be very wrong.

[gridgway]

The thread from Mike that is linked to above has Mike describing how he did it. So should be possible. There is an article on Pelican which seems to say that the seals at both end can be changed in the same way.
Graham

[Darren65]

Hopefully it isn't the nose bearing Graham.....that's a full strip to rectify!

[gridgway]

If it is, it'll stay leaking Darren!!