Note: A new gasket will be required for refitting if the old seal housing is removed during this procedure.

1 Remove the timing belt and the crankshaft sprocket.

2 If an oil seal removal tool is available, the oil seal can be removed at this stage. It may also be possible to remove the oil seal by drilling the outer face and using self-tapping screws and a pair of grips.

3 If the oil seal cannot be removed as described in paragraph 2, remove the sump and the auxiliary shaft sprocket, then unbolt the oil seal housing and the auxiliary shaft front cover. Recover the gasket. The oil seal can then be driven out from the inside of the housing (see illustrations).

27.3a Removing the crankshaft front oil seal housing

27.3b Driving the crankshaft front oil seal from the housing

4 Clean the oil seal housing, then drive in a new seal using a suitable metal tube or socket. Make sure that the seal lip faces into the engine and lightly smear the lip with clean engine oil (see illustration).

27.4 Using a socket to fit a new crankshaft front oil seal

5 Where applicable, refit the oil seal housing and the auxiliary shaft front cover, using a new gasket, and tighten the bolts. Using a straight edge, ensure that the bottom face of the oil seal housing is aligned with the bottom face of the cylinder block before finally tightening the bolts (see illustrations).

27.5a Crankshaft front oil seal housing/auxiliary shaft cover gasket located on front of cylinder block

27.5b Checking the alignment of the crankshaft front oil seal housing

Refit
the auxiliary shaft sprocket and refit the sump.

6 Refit the crankshaft sprocket and timing belt.