Replacing Front Crankshaft Oil Seal

To reach the seal, remove the camshaft drive belt as described in 4.2 Camshaft Drive Belt for gasoline engines or FUEL SYSTEM-DIESEL for diesel engines, and remove the crankshaft sprocket bolt and the sprocket.

There are three ways to remove the seal. Volkswagen special tool no. 2085, shown being used in Fig. 6-1, is designed to remove the seal without removing the seal carrier or damaging the sealing surface on the crankshaft. Alternatively the seal carrier, fastened by bolts to the cylinder block and the oil pan, can be removed to make seal removal easier. This requires care during reassembly to prevent oil leaks. Use a new seal carrier gasket. Finally, some experienced mechanics can pry out the seal with a screwdriver or similar tool. Use great care not to damage the alloy seal carrier or the sealing surface of the crankshaft.

Fig. 6-1.

Crankshaft front oil seal being removed using Volkswagen special tool no. 2085. Rotate tool clockwise to remove seal.

Install the new seal, lubricated with clean engine oil, with the lip on the inside and the closed side facing out. Fit the seal into position, and carefully drive it into place until it is fully seated in the seal carrier. Use care not to distort the seal as it is installed. For best results, use a seal driver such as Volkswagen special tool no. 3083, shown in Fig. 6-2. If reinstalling the seal carrier, torque the top three bolts to 10 Nm (87 in. lb.) and all other bolts to 20 Nm (15 ft. lb.).

Fig. 6-2.

Front crankshaft oil seal being installed, using Volkswagen special tool no. 3083.