318i m40 Engine front crankshaft oil seal replacement

[peterjcollins]

Hi All,
Can you replace the crankshaft oil seal with the engine in the vehicle. I guess the crankshaft bolt is very tight.
The car is an M40 318i Auto

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Peter

[Brianmoooore]

Crankshaft bolt is very tight, which is one good reason to undo it while it is in the car. Put a socket/spanner on the bolt, turn the pulley so that the socket bar or spanner is lying on the chassis rail, and turn the ignition switch to 'start' for a brief moment.

[peterjcollins]

Thanks Brian
Regards
Peter

[Brianmoooore]

Put something like a duvet or blanket over the spanner/socket before you loosen the bolt, since the results can be quite spectacular if it slips off of the crank bolt.