300 TDI rear main seal question

[Napalm00]

Resurrecting this thread since I have another 300Tdi sitting on the garage floor about to be installed. The previous owner of the engine says the rear seal wasn't leaking. My better judgement says to replace it anyway since it is easy to access right now, but at the same time I don't want to replace it and then have it leak anyway, like seems to happen a lot. Am I crazy to even consider NOT replacing it? Thoughts?

Definitely do the seal.

 

[AdamSanta85]

Definitely do the seal.

What tool do you use to drive in the 200TDI rear main?

I chickened out of doing my rear main while swapping my tranny/clutch because of stories of it getting spit out on start up and not having the factory seal driving tool. So far no regrets as my original isn't leaking but who knows what the future holds.

 

[Napalm00]

What tool do you use to drive in the 200TDI rear main?

I chickened out of doing my rear main while swapping my tranny/clutch because of stories of it getting spit out on start up and not having the factory seal driving tool. So far no regrets as my original isn't leaking but who knows what the future holds.

To insert the seal into the clutch housing i use a 4in pvc end cap . It's the perfect size to drive it in evenly. I also use red locktite around the edge of the seal where it comes in contact with the clutch housing.

After inspecting the t seals and basting a new elring block gasket with great stuff I use two bolts with the heads cut off to act as guides when bolting on the clutch housing. This makes sure the clutch housing is centered over the crank end .

Make sure the crank end is clean and dry ( I hit it with red scotchbrite to clean it up then brake cleaner)

Then tourque the housing down , as to do so the seal will spit out the plastic lip protection sleeve it is shipped with .

The only place to get a true dowty brand rear main is from Turner . It comes in a lower end gasket set for the 2.5td engine...all other newly made seals are inferior quality... no matter the source.