Freelander 1 Crank oil seal leaking

Hi

I replaced the oil pump on my friends 1.8 Freelander, but I can't get the oil seal round the crank to stop leaking. I have already tried 3 new seals and refitting the pump, but every time I replace the oil seal the leak seems to get worse.

I have checked the crank and there is a small mark on it, but I cant feel a ridge or anything when I run my nail over it.

The oil pump was supplied by my friend an it is not a genuine land rover part and the oil seals were britpart.

Any suggestions on how to fix would be appreciated.

Could the issue be the new oil pump not fitting properly or is it that the britpart seals are cr4p?

I don't know the 1.8, but I do know that Britpart rubber parts are often crap.

For example: caliper slide gaiters - disintegrated within 6 months. The originals lasted 13 years.

Britpart rubber parts, anything with moving bits, anything electrical...... anything.

davidsmith1307 said:

Britpart rubber parts, anything with moving bits, anything electrical...... anything.

Click to expand...

I didn't like to say, but:
Britpart exhaust back box - disintegrated (I put my hand through it by accident) within 18 months. Again, the original lasted 13 years.

Will order a genuine LR seal tomorrow and hope that will fix it. I guess at £1 a seal they were bound to be cr4p

Britpart stuff is awful. My original back box lasted 8 years, the BP box I fitted 6 months ago looks like ****e already.

4x4Dog said:

Britpart stuff is awful. My original back box lasted 8 years, the BP box I fitted 6 months ago looks like ****e already.

Click to expand...

BP stuff now has 24 month warranty. Bear that in mind as you see into the future of your back box... Note the hole where my hand went through.

guineafowl21 said:

BP stuff now has 24 month warranty. Bear that in mind as you see into the future of your back box... Note the hole where my hand went through.
View attachment 94928

Click to expand...

Man that's bad. Is their warranty a no quibble one where you send em a photo and a copy of the receipt and you get a replacement, or when where you have to dick around?

4x4Dog said:

Man that's bad. Is their warranty a no quibble one where you send em a photo and a copy of the receipt and you get a replacement, or when where you have to dick around?

Click to expand...

I had to contact the website I bought it from (Britpart wouldn't deal with me). They requested photos, and then wanted me to post the exhaust back. Once this was done, I received a full refund of the box and the cost of return postage. So, some dicking around - I resented having to post that rusty piece of junk and pay for it, but I suppose they need to check. What, exactly, they were going to check I'm not sure, as the box was well past bearing any manufacturers' marks or numbers. Good service when all's said and done, though.

Thanks GF21 for the info.

Genuine LR oil seal fitted, after running engine for 15 minutes, oil started dripping again.

So that is 3 oil seals and still can't get this fixed. Anyone got any suggestions, not sure it is worth changing the oil seal again.

Could it be the mark on the crank or the oil pump?

I'm not familiar with the 1.8 PCV system, but have you checked that the breather isn't blocked? Are you fitting the seals dry? How chewed up is the crank? You say a small mark, but it is a chip or gouge or what?

not familiar with 1.8 PCV myself, but I am not aware of the 1.8 having same issues as TD4. Would crank case pressure force oil out via the crankshaft?
Yes seals are fitted dry and I have a tool to protect the seal from the crank when it is fitted.
I can see a mark on the crank, but can't feel a chip or gouge. it is a patch close to where the oil seal is seats where the crank looks dull rather than shiny

If you pull the dipstick or undo the oil cap with the engine running do you see a old chip shop smokey joe? I'd be looking towards the PCV have three oil seals.

Andy_J said:

not familiar with 1.8 PCV myself, but I am not aware of the 1.8 having same issues as TD4. Would crank case pressure force oil out via the crankshaft?
Yes seals are fitted dry and I have a tool to protect the seal from the crank when it is fitted.
I can see a mark on the crank, but can't feel a chip or gouge. it is a patch close to where the oil seal is seats where the crank looks dull rather than shiny

Click to expand...

Andy_J said:

not familiar with 1.8 PCV myself, but I am not aware of the 1.8 having same issues as TD4. Would crank case pressure force oil out via the crankshaft?
Yes seals are fitted dry and I have a tool to protect the seal from the crank when it is fitted.
I can see a mark on the crank, but can't feel a chip or gouge. it is a patch close to where the oil seal is seats where the crank looks dull rather than shiny

Click to expand...

What a pain in the arse!

Yes, a blocked crank case breather could cause a leak. This is one of the main reasons a PCV system is fitted. Often, there will be leaks at several points.

In my experience, a seal should be fitted lubed with the substance it's designed to seal.

If all else fails, it could be that your crank has worn a low spot and may never seal. You may either put up with it or try an 'old engine' additive such as Wynns Stop Smoke.

Others more experienced with the 1.8 may have better suggestions, though.

If the crank is boogered you migth be able to get a Speedi Sleeve that'll fit http://www.skf.com/uk/products/New-Market-Offers/SKF-SPEEDI-SLEEVE-new-generation.html

@4x4Dog, speedi sleeve looks interesting, I think I will need to do some reading on it

@guineafowl21, ran the engine with the oil cap off, and there didn't seem to be any excess pressure or change is the frequency of oil drips.

I am leaning towards crank damage as previous owner has done some interesting 'fixes'. I think it will look at speedi sleeve. If that isn't and option have a 1.8 for spares, but was a non-runner when I bought it. will run it first to see exactly how quick it squirts the oil out.