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127. Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Installation




Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Installation

Special Tools
* EN-48072 - Sealant Applicator
* J 45930-A - Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Installer

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools (Special Tools).

Note: The EN-48072 - applicator must be used to ensure even application of the sealant in the bore and to prevent blockage of the drain back hole.

Note: Ensure components that are being sealed with RTV sealant are assembled within 20 minutes. Components assembled after the RTV sealant has skinned-over, approximately 20 minutes, will not bond properly.

Note: Although originally equipped with a lip-style crankshaft rear oil seal, engines built from March 1, 1996 and thru 1999 should use the cassette-style crankshaft rear oil seal.




1. Ensure the engine block where the crankshaft rear oil seal is installed is a deep bore (1).

* A deep bore of approximately 15 mm (0.5906 in) was used on engines from March 1, 1996 and later.
* A shallow bore of approximately 8 mm (0.3150 in) was used on engines from 1993 thru February 29, 1996. This block would use a lip-style crankshaft rear oil seal and the J 45930-A - installer for installation.




2. Inspect the engine block bore (1) and the crankshaft flange (2) for the damage. Repair or replace any damaged components.




3. Ensure the oil drain-back hole (1) is clear of debris using a wire or an unbound plastic tie wrap (2).





Note: In order to ensure proper bonding of the sealant the bore must be clean and dry.

4. Clean the bore in the block with cleaner solvent GM P/N 12378392 or 12346139 (Canadian P/N 88901247).





Note: Northstar engines 2005 and older have an 8 x 1.25 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread. Northstar engines 2006 and later have an 11 x 1.5 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread.

5. Remove the proper sized bolts from the J 45930-A - installer. Use the bolts (2) 8 mm or the bolts (3) 11 mm.




6. Install the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base onto the crankshaft. The hub on the crankshaft will fit into the recess on the inboard side of the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base.





Note: Northstar engines 2005 and older have an 8 x 1.25 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread. Northstar engines 2006 and later have an 11 x 1.5 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread.

7. Use the proper bolts from the J 45930-A - installer to retain the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base in place.




8. Install the EN-48072 - applicator applicator housing over the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base. Ensure the EN-48072 - applicator applicator housing bottoms in the bore of the block.





Note: The sealant must not block the drain back hole. Blockage of the drain back hole can lead to oil leakage.

9. Apply the sealant GM P/N 12378521 (Canadian P/N 88901148) to the bore outer diameter in the block. Ensure the sealant does not block the drain hole.





Note: Apply steady even pressure to the EN-48072 - applicator applicator housing.

10. Using a suitable tool spread the sealant within the bore to ensure an even coating across the bore.





Note: In order to apply an even coat of the sealant do not twist or turn the EN-48072 - applicator applicator housing as it is pulled away from the bottom of the bore.

11. Using both hands, slowly and evenly, pull the EN-48072 - applicator applicator housing out of the bore and remove it from the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base.




12. Remove the J 45930-A - installer bolts from the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base.




13. Remove the EN-48072 - applicator pilot base.




14. Ensure that the sealant (1) is evenly spread across the bore of the block.




15. Ensure the drain back hole (1) is clear of the sealant.

Caution: The cassette seal is installed onto the crankshaft with a press fit that requires over 135 Nm (100 lb ft) of force to remove or install. This high force requires the use of special tools to remove and install the seal. Use of any other tools during removal or installation can lead to damage to the seal or other components. An improperly installed or damaged seal can leak oil and can lead to engine damage. Use of the J 38817-A to install the cassette seal can damage the tool and cause improper seal installation and/or seal damage.

Note: Beginning with the model year 2006 the flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread was changed from 8 x 1.25 mm to 11 x 1.5 mm. The J 45930-A - installer will service the cassette seals installed on engines from March 1, 1996 to 2006. If a J 45930 is to be used on a 2006 or later engine the update kit, J 45930-10, must be used to convert the J 45930 to a J 45930-A - installer.

Note: Crankshaft rear oil seal and engine flywheel installation requires adequate space for installation. If the engine stand does not allow suitable space to use the J 45930-A - installer install the crankshaft rear oil seal and engine flywheel with the engine properly supported on the floor or on a bench.





Note: Northstar engines 2005 and older have an 8 x 1.25 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread. Northstar engines 2006 and later have an 11 x 1.5 mm flywheel/flexplate crankshaft bolt hole thread.

16. Ensure the proper size of bolt (2) 8 mm or (3) 11 mm is being installed in the J 45930-A - installer.




17. Turn the center nut (1) of the J 45930-A - installer until the center hub (2) protrudes approximately 15 mm (0.591 in) beyond the outer plate (3).





Note: DO NOT use any lubricant in order to install the crankshaft rear oil seal. Do not use any lubricant on the coating pre-applied to the inner diameter of the crankshaft rear oil seal. The coating is a sealant that must not be contaminated. Do not use any lubricant on the outer diameter of the crankshaft rear oil seal. The sealant applied to the bore of the engine block will not properly bond to a lubricated crankshaft rear oil seal.

18. Do not lubricate any part of the new cassette style crankshaft rear oil seal.




19. Install the new cassette style crankshaft rear oil seal onto the center hub of the J 45930-A - installer.




20. Thread the two J 45930-A - installer mounting bolts into the crankshaft flywheel bolt holes.




21. Tighten the two mounting bolts until the J 45930-A - installer is firmly mounted on the crankshaft.




22. Install the new cassette style crankshaft rear oil seal by turning the nut of the J 45930-A - installer until the drive portion of the J 45930-A - installer bottoms against the crankcase.




23. Loosen the center nut to release pressure on the crankcase.




24. Loosen the two mounting bolts.




25. Remove the J 45930-A - installer from the crankshaft.
26. Wipe off any excessive sealant from the block.




27. Ensure the new cassette style crankshaft rear oil seal is installed properly.

* The outer surface of the seal (3) should be 0.500-0.800 mm (0.0197-0.0315 in) (1) below the surface of the engine block (2).
* The inner surface of the sleeve (6) should be 0.400-0.900 mm (0.0158-0.0354 in) (4) below the surface of the outer surface of the seal (5).
* The installed seal and sleeve need to be parallel to the block by 0.000-0.500 mm (0.000-0.0197 in).

28. Clean all tools to remove any residual sealant.

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