QUESTION
I have just purchased a Ford/Lotus twin cam Escort that has recently had the engine rebuilt.
The Escort has travelled less than two thousand Kilometers since the engine rebuild and oil is leaking from the front and rear crankshaft seals.
I have been told the oil seals need time to bed-in but I am concerned about the continuing oil loss.
Can you tell me what causes this and how it maybe fixed?
J.J. - Footscray, Melbourne
ANSWER
The front crankshaft pulley and crank rear journal may have a groove worn into the surface where the lip-seals make partial contact and will allow oil to leak.
From experience, this problem is more likely to be the the result of a Lotus twin cam engine that has been assembled incorrectly and the oil seals being mis-aligned.
For any engine to be oil tight, it is critical for the front and rear oil seals to be installed so they are concentric with the crankshaft.
This is only possible by centralising the rear main oil seal housing and front timing chest prior to tightening the fasteners.
The front V-belt pulley and oil seal can easily be removed so the timing chest to crankshaft nose alignment can be checked.
However, it would be necessary to remove the engine from the vehicle to check the rear oil seal housing alignment.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques
I have just purchased a Ford/Lotus twin cam Escort that has recently had the engine rebuilt.
The Escort has travelled less than two thousand Kilometers since the engine rebuild and oil is leaking from the front and rear crankshaft seals.
I have been told the oil seals need time to bed-in but I am concerned about the continuing oil loss.
Can you tell me what causes this and how it maybe fixed?
J.J. - Footscray, Melbourne
ANSWER
The front crankshaft pulley and crank rear journal may have a groove worn into the surface where the lip-seals make partial contact and will allow oil to leak.
From experience, this problem is more likely to be the the result of a Lotus twin cam engine that has been assembled incorrectly and the oil seals being mis-aligned.
For any engine to be oil tight, it is critical for the front and rear oil seals to be installed so they are concentric with the crankshaft.
This is only possible by centralising the rear main oil seal housing and front timing chest prior to tightening the fasteners.
The front V-belt pulley and oil seal can easily be removed so the timing chest to crankshaft nose alignment can be checked.
However, it would be necessary to remove the engine from the vehicle to check the rear oil seal housing alignment.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques
