Crankshaft seal replacement

[q2quest]

Guys, I cannot for the life of me get the OEM (Teflon) style crankshaft oil seal in without the lip rolling inside out. I know the seal and crank snout need to be totally dry and in perfect condition. The second replacement seal I got from the local auto parts store is a Timken standard oil seal with the spring inside. I wonder if it wouldn't just be easier to use this standard old school style seal with a little grease. I know it is inferior, but those Teflon seals are so damned unforgiving. Any thoughts?

[Brandywine050]

Did the seal come installed on a plastic cup? If so that is what goes on the crank and acts as the expander for the seal. You slide the cup/installer on the crank and lube the seal with oil or Vaseline and slide it over.

[2004B6S4]

I will be doing this tonight or tomorrow. FYI for anyone else planning this job who comes across this thread, don't buy the seal from the dealer! I got the front crank seal from genuineaudiparts and it did not come with the plastic cup, which is disappointing, so I'm expecting a challenge to get that one on. I bought a corteco (oem) rear main seal from a different aftermarket parts supplier and that one did come with the plastic cup

[evildsmr]

Make sure you bought the correct seal because I believe there a split in the model year and the front crank seals from those models are a different size. Other than that of you do have the correct one. I lubed mine up and gently massaged the outer rims of the seal you say you're having trouble with using a flat blade screwdriver to guide the lip up and over the crank.

I bought mine from the dealer and had no plastic cradle like what Brandywine said but I managed to get it on like I mentioned above. The key is patience and a giant bottle of LUBEEEEEE lol.

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[q2quest]

I've read up on installing these teflon seals and the instructions say to absolutely not use any lubricant. The crank and seal must both be dry. The seal I had came with the timing belt and was like OEM with no plastic installation sleeve. I used a small jewelers screwdriver to carefully push the lip back to the correct shape once it was installed and I just know that I must have damaged it. I'm planning on starting the car with the lock carrier off and the timing belt exposed so I can check for oil leaks before reinstalling everything because the cam seals were also just replaced. No one wants to comment on the use of the old school seal?

[evildsmr]

I'm thinking these questions should be in another thread of a platform that has a timing belt. As far as I know everyone here either uses factory replacement parts of Victor reinz seals. Haven't heard any talks of a Teflon replacement as far as crank seals.

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[Brandywine050]

There's also the pop can method that you can use as well, you cut the end of a soda bottle that will fit over the rear snout of the crankshaft and slide to seal over it.

[2004B6S4]

I'm thinking these questions should be in another thread of a platform that has a timing belt. As far as I know everyone here either uses factory replacement parts of Victor reinz seals. Haven't heard any talks of a Teflon replacement as far as crank seals.

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Our oem seal is also the teflon type, and the instructions that came with mine do in fact say specifically not to lube it. I was thrown off by the timing belt comment as well, though. Apparently OP didn't realize he posted this to the S4 forum

There's also the pop can method that you can use as well, you cut the end of a soda bottle that will fit over the rear snout of the crankshaft and slide to seal over it.

thanks for that, sounds like a good tip! I'd be worried about the seal being damaged by a sharp edge of the can, though. Maybe I can find a plastic bottle or something like that that can be used like this

[q2quest]

Sorry guys, I cheated a little here. I'm actually talking about an A4 3.0, but I posted here because I figured the principles of installing front seals would be the same and I know you guys are passionate mechanics as opposed to the average 3.0 owner.

[evildsmr]

Haha well in my own experience when I replaced my front crank seal with one bought straight from my local vag dealership I put a little bit of motor oil on the lip just enough for it to slide over the crankshaft using my little flat screwdriver. I have no leaks as of 10kiles after putting it on. Also mine didn't come with directions haha.

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[2004B6S4]

lol, glad to hear it's working out for you. Come to think of it the rear main seal was the one that came with instructions for me, not the crank seal from the dealer. They're both teflon though so instructions should be the same