5L: Oilleak, I suspect Front Seals

[aususer]

Just found my 2002'lux 5L dropping oil - never done it before.

All of a sudden I'm seeing heaps more...
Most of my recent driving has been slogging to/fro work.. so no offroad recently (3 months).

I am suspecting front crank seal..

Having never done one of these before.. is it a tough job? Can it be done from underneath in the frontyard - or better to "pay a man"?
I have most tools (including a torque).
I've not yet had a look at the servicemanual (its at home.. and I just noticed the oil at lunch).
Opinions?

Related or not, I am also seeing drips from the diff too (looks like the drain plug - but will have a better look this weekend when I get under it)..

[popeyehj60]

the crank seals is a fairly tricky job.
depending on wether u need to put a speedy sleeve on the crank or not.
u gotta pull them timing belt off to get to the seal so make sure u know how to line up the pump and cam before u start the job.

[troopa]

x2, 5L timing belts R a pain in the ass to do at home.

[Ruffy]

If you have never replaced a cam belt or had anything to do with timing a diesel i would suggest you "pay a man".
You can destroy your enigne if you get it wrong

[a1 mech]

If you hav a decent manual, free time and a good range of tools then I would do it yourself.

It is worth doing a whole front end rebuild while its all apart. Timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idler etc. It is easy to change the timing belt on the L series diesels. The injection pump, cam an crank all hav good marks so lining it up isnt a problem, just turn the engine over by hand b4 starting to insure nothin is contacting.

[aususer]

I've got to fly out tomorrow for the weekend (and can't "leave it with a man whilst away..)
I have the beast booked in "with a man" for evaluation... so we will see what they say.

After bashing my MQ around and stripping L28 down and up insitu etc... I feel confident that I *could* do it myself... but considering the time and effort (and the annoying part of having to go to work every day... and wife/kids on the weekend) - I think I will leave it to someone else to get covered by soot-laden oil..

To answer the questions:
1. I am mechanicaly ept... and could probably do it...
2. The timing belt was changed pre-my ownership.. (I'm led to believe )
3. got the manual; got the tools (pretty sure I have most of them).

Now I'm just waiting for the boss to complain about the black oil over his pretty, clean driveway..

It really does sound like a bigger job than I am prepaired to commit to right now - so I thank you all for your input.

Cheers!

[aususer]

Update: $898 later!!!!

I took it to "the man".. he established a few things:
1. the previous owner changed the timing belt himself... and used "silicone as a gasket" (I believe the prev owner was a plumber)
2. he had no idea of maintenance (I asked him to replace rear diff gasket to fix a slight leak from the LSD diff... aparently it had engine oil in the diff! GRRRR)
3. it was a BIG job overall

Bill included:
Gaskets for both Camshaft and Crankshaft
Gasket for Rear Diff
New timing belt (other was "covered in oil and wrecked")
Usual hose clamps etc
LSD Oil
Engine Oil
etc...

I was quoted "between $600 and $800" - took 2 whole days for them to do... (I guess that includes stock delivery too).

No more oil drips - and no more weekendawaythisweekend :(

Lesson learnt: if it is 600-800 expect $900
When you buy a used car - dump all oils and replace them (I did the gearbox and engine -but forgot the diff at the time)
a "little drip" is not normal...
I have LSD in my diff (I had no idea of that one)

Thanks for all your advice and assistance... I am glad I took it to "the man"... he did a professional job and it was only off the road 2 days...
I'm glad I didn't attempt it myself.