I have a 1988 760 GLE 6 cylinder with a leaking front crank seal. The dealer tells me it is a $360 job to fix. It seems that because it is an OHC with timing chains, the job is much more intrusive to the engine making the job more complicated than say, a normal 4 cylinder engine. I went home and looked in the Chilton manual. It basically said to remove the radiator, pull the pulley, and pop out the seal which is right there. Then pound a new seal in with a drift and replace the pulley. Seems simple enough. Certainly not to the tune of $360.

I'd appreciate any enlightment on this project.

Thanks in advance

Doug,

Never did a seal on that V6, but it sounds straight forward. I'm assuming the timing chain is behind the cover and its the cover that contains the seal. So you simply (!) need to remove the pulley. Instead of using a drift, which can bend the seal, go to Home Depot or Lowes or equivalent with your seal and rummage around the plastic plumbing pipe aisle. You should be able to find a pipe or coupling of the correct diameter to tap the seal in with. You can make it any length you want by gluing pipe to the adapter. Good luck.

Doug: Mike has a great idea there, using a cut piece of PVC pipe, or equivalent (in diameter) to knock the seal in: but if you can't find the right size of pipe/equivalent, try this: on a rear main seal, the 'male' end of a 3/8" extension bar is just the right size to (gently) tap the seal into place...try that, or maybe the male end of a 1/4" extension rod for your seal.The square end of the extension is easier on the seal than the sharp-edged round end of a drift. The key word ios TAP, definitely not a hammerfest. Putting a little engine oil on it ahead of time eases installation. Good Luck, please keep us posted.--PD

I just had the front seals done on my 740 by an independent Volvo shop for less than half of what the dealer wanted. On the four cylinder motors is easy but I did have the time to do it. There are many good independent Volvo shops so shop around.