89 gt front seal leak

[Skyblue89gt]

I am about to try and replace the front seal on my 89 gt. I would like to hear from someone that has done it before. What can go horribly wrong? Should I replace the oil pump? Is there anything else I should do while I am there?

[fredjacksonsan]

How many miles? Had it since new or buy it used? (to establish service history)

In general with something that old, I would plan on replacing whatever is there. Oil pump, water pump etc.

[Stealthee]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

How many miles? Had it since new or buy it used? (to establish service history)

In general with something that old, I would plan on replacing whatever is there. Oil pump, water pump etc.

In general if replacing the oil pump it should have a new front seal already in place so that would save one small part, but would add a lot of extra tear down.

[Skyblue89gt]

This looks a little better.

The engine is 2.2L 4 Cylinder Turbo. I purchased it from a neighbor that bought it from the original owner years earlier. It has always been in San Diego. I have been told the odometer is the correct mileage at 78,000. There is no 100,000 digit so I will take that on faith.

The service I have done:

I made new bushings for the gear shifter.

Replace leaking anti-lock brake manifold purchased on craigslist. $40 lucky find. Replaced Alternator twice (It needs a third one now) The seal leak is coating the alternator with oil and killing it.

Replaced Water Pump, Timing belt and idler, valve cover and oil pan gaskets. I needed to replace the timing belt due to miles. I knew oil was leaking from the valve cover gaskets and thought it was also coming from the oil pan. It was the front seal; I didn’t recognize that until it was back on the road.

It needs the rear rotors replaced. I ordered them before I realized the rear brakes on this car are somehow bastardized drum brakes turned into disc. Wheel bearings need to be replaced with the rotors. That one makes me a little nervous too so I have not done it yet.

It has been a fun car to drive. My wife uses it he most. The air conditioner quit working but my wife never used it so I don’t know when that happened. I tried to put some R134 in it That was left over from another car and it has a massive leak somewhere that I did not pursue.

It also has an intermittent power steering assist. I have been reading about that and will try the valve on the rack. I had this in for repair and they replaced the PS pump twice and told me to come get it and never bring it back. I guess they didn’t know about the computer control.

The one real concern I have about the oil pump is priming. From what I have seen on you tube, the pump must be primed. I have a maintenance manual that makes no mention of priming the oil pump. I do understand that if there is no oil in the pump, it will take time for it to start feeding oil to the motor. I don’t know how much time or if it will damage this old motor in that time. I guess to prime it I have to pressurize a tank of oil and shoot it through the engine somehow.

I just realized what Stealthee is saying about the pump. I assumed I had to take the pump off to replace the seal. I was questioning replacing the pump because it may unnecessary and anything I buy is likely Chinese crap that will cause more harm than good. If I can replace the seal without removing the pump it would be a whole lot easier. I can hold onto the pump I purchased until it is needed.

Sorry I have such a late response. I forgot I joined the forum until the oil pump came today. It will be a few days before I can take the time to start tearing this thing apart.

Thanks

[fredjacksonsan]

The 2.2 turbo was very reliable...as you've noticed the big problem is sourcing parts.

Sounds like a great ongoing project.

[Skyblue89gt]

I had a terrible time with the oil pan gasket until I replaced the bolts with studs. Lining up the stiffener with the pan was difficult.

Any thoughts on just replacing the seal?

What do you know about priming an oil pump?