190D 2.2 blew main seal...

[WANT '71 280SEL]

You may have read my previous post about my mother overheating my brother's 190D, but we don't think it destroyed the head. It starts just like it use to on the first bump of the starter. It seems like the starter doesn't even have to crank to get it started it goes so well. Anyways, when I had it all apart the serpentine belt was just layed to the side. Well, after observation last night, it seems that the serpentine belt got wrapped around the crank very tight until it blew the seal then blew itself apart. So the belt got tangled up behind the balancer and destroyed the seal, which is why is literally is pouring out oil when running.
My question is...How hard is it to do the seal. Can the new seal just be pushed in from the front when the old one is out? The engine doesn't have to some apart does it? How do I get the old seal out completely (while still in the car). What needs to be done to get the harmonic balancer off? Let me know what you guys think.
The car was driven maybe 8 miles without a waterpump belt. These were just around the city really quick, it wasn't stop and go traffic, yet it definitely wasn't highway speeds. Wouldn't the engine get hot enough to blow the pressure cap and warp/crack the head? This damn car won't die!
Thanks
David

[jobah]

I just replaced the front seal for the 2nd time. It is not a hard job, but you need a short 27 mm socket, an impact wrench and a puller such as a three jaw puller.

On the 2.2, you first remove the belt. Second, you need to remove the 27 mm nut that holds the pulley hub to the crank. I have only been able to do this with an impact wrench. You need to either remove or lift the radiator out of the way to fit the wrench (2.2's have lots of room up front b/w the radiator and the engine). Once removed, you need to remove the 6 allen bolts that hold the pulley to the pulley hub. THis is hard to do if they have never been off. If you cannot get them, then you need to pull the pulley and hub assembly out with a puller. If you can get them off, then you can remove the pulley and just pull on the hub (it is easier).

Once out, you can pop the seal out and pound in a new one. The seals are less than $10 at fastlane. I would buy 2 incase you make a mistake and ruin one for some reason.

It is not very hard if you have the impact wrench. Without it, you need the special tool to lock the flywheel as the 27 mm bolt is on really tight.

Hope this helps.

[lietuviai]

Not that I would recommend doing it this way, I used to remove pulley bolts on cars with manual transmissions by putting the car in gear, setting the parking brake and blocking the wheels. That way the engine was kept from turning while removing the bolt. Replacing the seals are fairly easy. I would use a large deep socket to install the seal. Make sure you use some type of sealant around the outside edge of the seal and where it goes into the front cover.

[jobah]

I have the 5 speed, and it does not work, I think that the screw is so tight that there is slippage somewhere in the system even with the car in gear and brakes on (must be the clutch).

I did not use sealant the prior time I replaced the seal and there was no leaking on the outside. I would check the manual to see if a sealant is necessary.

[lietuviai]

I guess the best thing for you to do is to do it just like you did the last time. A little extra sealant wouldn't hurt.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

How much time should I budget for this project?
Thanks
David