Rear Main Seal Replacement Screw Up

[kfz]

Did i install new main seal wrong?   is it supposed to be flush with the crank and rear housing?.  What I do know is it leaked like crazy.

[blackcat]

I’ve always set them ever so slightly below flush.

[guzzisteve]

Leaking is leaking, set next one hair in from flush you'll be good, it'll be on same surface as it was most likely.

[Tom H]

Should be slightly below or flush. If you go in TOO far, it can block the oil passage.

Are you sure the seal is leaking? Sometimes it can be the paper gasket for the rear main bearing or even the breather tube gasket. If this is a loop style breather box with the return line, the short rubber hose can allow oil into the bell housing if the hose is loose or damaged.

Try using some compressed air into the oil fill hole, a blow gun tip will do with a rag wrapped around the tip to seal it off. Then a cup of soapy water and a brush. Pump a little air into the engine and brush everything in the bell housing with the soapy water. If there is a leak, bubbles will tell you where it is. Give it a few tries with varying air pressure, just don't hold it wide open.

Good luck!
Tom

[moto-uno]

  This is one of the occasions where I stick to the OEM seal , identified by the angled ridges around the perimeter of the seal
between the sealing lip and outer flange . Don't be afraid to check your crank float also .  Peter

[Scout63]

I always buy two at a time. The install tool is very handy also. Every time I do a job it comes apart three times.

https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2962

[kfz]

THanks Guys,  I suspected that was my problem.

[Mike Tashjian]

Did you clean up the crankshaft with some crocus cloth or very fine sandpaper(2000 grit)?  Did the bore where the seal sits look near perfect with no nicks or gouges?  Did you load the new seal with a bit of grease to be sure it gets a chance to not get damaged before the oil gets to it?  Most seals sit flush so be sure that is how yours was and put the new one in the same place.  A dab of sealer or epoxy can fill a nick if needed.  It not hard to change a part but there are things you can do to insure you don't have have to do it twice or three times. 

[Wayne Orwig]

That one picture appears to be way deeper than I have ever set one.
Not sure why that would make it leak unless you get into the oil feed hole.

[acogoff]

     Maybe the spring came off.