Did anyone check the crankshaft endplay at any time? I assume the
answer is no, but excessive endplay  will destroy a seal.

If there is excess pressure in the crankcase, it can eventually turn
the lip of the seal and all the oil will pump out.

And are you sure that it's the crank seal? Other things, like the oil
pump seals, can suddenly give way as well.

Jim

On Oct 14, 2005, at 11:43 AM, David Shepherdson wrote:

> As if I did not have enough problems with my 87 syncro, I was on the
> way to the airport yesterday when the crankshaft seal failed and
> dumped most of the oil on the road (I missed the flight!).  I
> couldnt believe it because the same thing happened about 3 months
> (and 3000miles) ago on my way up to Northern Canada.  That time I
> was able to get it towed to Kamloops and have it repaired while I
> continued my trip at considerable expense in a rental.  The guy that
> repaired it said that the seal had been sticking out too far and had
> finaly torn (I have the seal and a chunk is missing)probably from
> rubbing on the flywheel.  He thought that it probably had not been
> installed properly (it had been dripping ever since I purchased it 4
> months previously)in the first place (the engine is a rebuild with
> about 25k miles).  However, now that it has happened again so soon I
> am left wondering what could possibly cause this.   I have talked to
> others that have said that in other cars this can be symptom of a
> warped engine casing.  I cant afford to have my mechanic fix it this
> time so I need to know what to look for.  Can anyone give me any
> ideas about what could be wrong and how I can fix it?
> Thanks for this help and other help that I have received from this
> list.
> David
>