Hi All, can anyone assist with some advice etc. I had a mechanic friend recently do a basic service and he mentioned that the main fan belt or serpentine belt as he calls it is cracked and needs replacing. Also there is a fair bit of oil in the area around the belt. As he is off on holiday he couldn't investigate further. Anybody have an idea what this oil might be?
Appreciate the help.

 

It is probably coming from the Front Main Seal (FMS) behind the balancer and main pulley. Just like with having an oil leak coming from the Rear Main Seal (RMS), it is usually not going to be a very big deal. Unless, it was slinging a cup or two of oil per day or something? It would then be a little more problematic and a slightly bigger concern.

It really won't hurt much of anything if it is a very small oil leak coming from this location. Depending, you may want to check the engine oil level a little more often, and top off as needed?

You could get the correct tools required for removing and replacing the FMS. It is not really too difficult a job to do. Although, at the same time, I would not exactly call it a very easy job to do either.

Are you sure it is coming from the front, pulleys side of the engine, and not dripping down from out of the valve cover?

 

Thank so much for the reply. I will try check if it's from the valve cover first.

 

Tauranga, NZ? You haven't posted in quite a while, have you? Nice to know you're still with us, and welcome back! Admittedly, guys on this forum don't know much about the 3.0 CRD, but we try as best we can. It's unusual for a front seal to start leaking unless the crankcase is pressurized for some reason, so I'm guessing it's valve cover oil.