replacing crankshaft seal?

[and1_e30]

my crankshaft seal is leaking and i need to remove the gearbox and that. do i need to remove the exhaust aswell i looked but only could see auto to manual conversions. do i need to remove eangine and gearbox or will the gearbox come away easy enough. when removing the seal does is come out easy enough or do i need to tack a nut onto it and prise it out? im going to change the clutch when its out :)

cheers

jon

[mark_i]

if you have a 4-cylinder, easier to hoist out the engine and gearbox.
removing the exhaust and heat shields takes 20 minutes and makes the job a lot easier when removing/installing the propshaft.
you may well find that the crankseal is still intact and the oil leal is from the back of the rocker cover.

[Brianmoooore]

It's probably possible to remove the gearbox without removing the exhaust, but it's certainly easier without it in the way. I certainly always remove the exhaust from the manifold back.
How sure are you that the crank seal is leaking? I've never seen a dud one yet!
If it's a M20 engine, then the problem is almost always a failed sump gasket in the area covered by the filler piece that closes off the gap between the sump and the bell housing.
As for whether to remove the engine and box complete, or just the gearbox, there's not a lot to choose between them, and depends to some degree as to what facilities you have available.

[parkin10]

just like brian says
if its a m20 engine its probably the sump gasket

[and1_e30]

It's a 325i sorry if its m20 ok well that might better then!!!! I only thought it was that because a mechanic friend suggested it but you guys would know more well ill replace the dump gasket at the weekend I do have ramps cranes and access to gearbox jack cheers for the help ill let you know what I find

[Brianmoooore]

The 325i is an M20, and the sump gasket will probably be the problem. It maybe somewhat easier than changing the crank seal, but changing the sump gasket on a M20 with the engine installed in a car isn't without its problems.
The oil pump sits deep inside the sump well, and prevents the pan from being slid out once unbolted. There are three ways of dealing with this - you can reach in over the edge of the sump and work blind unbolting the oil pump and drive, you can unbolt the engine mounts, release the radiator top bracket and lift the engine as high as possible, or you can unbolt the engine mounts, suspend the engine where it is, and lower the subframe.

[parkin10]

i lowered the subframe to do mine
use only a quailty gasket or you will be back