A while back I did an engibe swap. During this I replaced the front seal.

I've had a little leak upfront, originally I pulled the oil pan and added rtv around that gaskets corners as i hadn't when i firsr installed the pan gasket. I imagine it's got to be the seal, but has anyone heard of a new seal leaking?

Seal is fel-pro, 95 block

 

You are referring to the seal behind the balancer? If so, yeah, it could leak if damaged on install. How much leaking are we talking about?

 

Not a drip but steady seepage to where the two front oil pan bolts are damp, largely why I had thought it was the oil pan gasket originally. Usually if I clean it off a couple longer car rides will show evidence of some wetted area.

Not sure how ide damage it on install but I guess its possible, at the time I had the timing cover off and cleaned it thoroughly.

 

There is a good chance that the balancer itself may be the issue. Over time, a groove will wear into the balancer where the seal rides. If your new seal is trying to seal on that groove, it will leak. They make sleeves that go over the balancer to solve this issue or you can replace the balancer itself. I am not saying this is 100% your problem but there is a chance that this could be the issue. The only way to know is by pulling the balancer back off and having a look.

 

Just an example of grooves that can cause leakage with good seals.

 

balancer is just as new as the seal. any idea of the company that makes this different seal?

 

its got me confused, doesnt the seal run on the crank nose, with the damper in front ?..I replaced a damper not long ago, it also is pressed on the crank nose,
but the seal was behind, in the timing cover groove, and as it was not leaking, I did not change it

If a seal groove is worn, a speedy-sleeve or similar is needed, or some method to have the seal lip run on a different area of the shaft..like shims

 

Some aftermarket balancers are just factory balancers "reconditioned". That meaning they will actually machine the part that the seal rides on making the overall diameter smaller. If its too small the seal wont seal on it. This is a very rare thing to happen but can happen. Your best bet is to get a new seal, pull the balancer back off, slide the seal on the balancer and make sure it fits snug before installing the seal in the front cover. I have a couple extra seals if you need them. Dont want anything for them, just pay shipping.

 

On the 4.0, the seal rides on the snout of the balancer. The speedi sleeve is almost as expensive as the balancer, so you're usually better off replacing the balancer altogether instead of band-aiding it.