front engine oil seal leak

[Paul and Sue]

I was under my rig working and noticed a dirty film from around the bottom of the front oil seal going cone sharpe to the bottom of the oil pan. Oil is not seen but there has to be some oil blowing back to cause the road dirt to stick like that. Most of the dirt just wiped off with a rag but there was some dark like grease that had to use cleaner to remove after scraping. The rest of the engine looks dusty but clean and no other oil leak. I have never cleaned under there nor have I ever looked there before this, so it could of started at anytime. I have the engine serviced two times a year from two differant service centers and nether had said anything (35,000 miles on rig). I plan on a short trip (20 Miles) in a few days and will recheck. But I have a 3000 mile trip coming up in two months.

When do you have the oil seal replaced before you get into trouble. I don't want to over react for a dirt film but I don't want to blow an engine if the seal blows.

2004 W-22

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul and Sue When do you have the oil seal replaced before you get into trouble. I don't want to over react for a dirt film but I don't want to blow an engine if the seal blows.

How is your oil consumption over time? If you are not adding significant amounts of oil to the engine I would continue to keep an eye on it. You can always opt to have the seal replaced if you are concerned about it. I don't expect that you will develop a catastrophic oil leak in the short or long term if you are only wiping a trace of oil off your oil pan.

[JohnRR]

There's a huge difference between oil leak and oil seep which is most likely why your service centers have said nothing to you about it. As already mentioned if your not adding oil, and it is not dripping on the ground it really does not warrant any other action except keeping an eye on it.

[Paul and Sue]

Thanks, on my long trip I'll keep a eye on it.