Has anyone done a front crank seal job on a 95 to 97 LS? Also, how common is it for a upper oil pan seal to blow out? I have got an leak going, i am gonna do the valve covers and will replace the PCV valve to relieve pressure on seals as well. I've already done the lower oil pan. I plan on doing a oil dye leak test to narrow down the leak.

Thanks

 

Most ppl replace the crank seal during a timing belt service. It's fairly straight forward to replace but it's a PITA to get to.

 

Upper oil pan leaks are not common at all. It's almost alway's the front crank seal. I've had good luck after replacing the crank seals on these cars. A lot of other engines get grooves where the seal rides on the crank and it'll pretty much leak forever until you sleeve it. The cranks are pretty hard on these and I haven't seen much grooving. Take a strong piece of plastic, like an interior pry tool, and wrap a rag or cloth around it with some brake cleaner on it to reach in there and clean up the surface where the seal rides before installing the new seal.

 

you just got excellent advice:: both comments are right on... I am a retired professional mechanic... long time LS400 owner..

 

Thanks guys. Ill be sure to do the plastic pry tool and brake cleaner cleaning. I am gonna order the set from Rockauto. Is it just the one seal for the crank seal? Is it the center seal in the picture. Rockauto has this set listed as Front Crank seal set. Will i need to use FIPG when installing? I am glad to hear the upper oil pan gasket doesn't fail much...seems like it would be quite the job to redo that gasket. Alldatadiy.com doesn't show the procedure for this job.

 

I've never used it, but have heard many good things, and no bad things about ...

ATP AT-205 Re Seal.

It is supposed to soften rubber seals to allow them to seal better. Different than the other snake oils that try to fix leaks by causing seals to swell. It seems like it would be best applied in a situation where a lot of labor would be involved to get in there and replace the seal. And it seems like the crank and cam seals on these cars are good examples of that, unless you're doing a timing belt job.

Does anyone have experience with this stuff on the Lexus cam and crank seals? It seems like there is little downside to trying it. It may help the OP, and I seem to have what may be leaking camshaft seals on my 1991 - I recently replaced the VCGs, hoping that would be the fix, and it was not.

 

All I know is its about the only 'Snake Oil' Scotty Kilmer recommends.He swears its a good product.And he seems to be a reputable guy.

 

Just order the seal from the real deal.

 

OEM,smart.