small job getting bigger!!

the water pump packed up on my 300tdi no problem, got the bright idea to change the timing belt as I was half way there, the front crank shaft oil seal is leaking , according to the manual its a pig of a job needing special tools and I have to take half the engine apart to do it , is it as bad as it sounds??
P.S.
bear in mind its 15 yrs since I last worked on a car

As far as I'm aware it just pushes in, but you have to fit it accurately. The old seal will come out with some careful leverage and cutting into (be careful not to damage the aluminium timing case) and the new one should (in theory) just push in BUT it must go in straight, and not too far. Ideally you should take the whole timing case off to fit it so that you know it's right, but that's a massive hassle.

A trick I came up with ages ago for getting seals out is gently drill 2 small holes in the seal ( not too close to the casing ) opposite each other. Then using self tapping screws , screw them into the seal several turns . grab a pair of Mole grips and clamp them on the screws ( side on ) . then get a socket to use as a fulcrum for the molegrips and lever the seal out .
This doesnt work every time as the screws sometimes pull out , but drill another hole . But it beats taking the whole casing off .

cheers thats saved me a lot of grief

pos said:

As far as I'm aware it just pushes in, but you have to fit it accurately. The old seal will come out with some careful leverage and cutting into (be careful not to damage the aluminium timing case) and the new one should (in theory) just push in BUT it must go in straight, and not too far. Ideally you should take the whole timing case off to fit it so that you know it's right, but that's a massive hassle.

Click to expand...

'Difflock' Do a very good guide to changing a 300Tdi timing belt, I can't do a link, so you will have to do a search. They also do all of the special tools,if you need them.
Have a look, then print it out for later reference.
Hope that helps.
Howard.
2x300TdiDef.