Greasing crankshaft oil seal

Does it matter what type of grease goes in the front (timing chain cover) crankshaft oil seal? Regular or lithium? Also, when applying it, should I put it inside the U cavity in the seal itself, around the crankshaft or both?

 

Any grease will do. It's only for its first initial start up. I've never filled the U with grease. Just a slight film on the seal has worked fine.

 

You mean on the outer circumference of the seal that contacts the housing, and which gets friction upon the installation strike?

 

Yes and also the lip of the seal itself.

 

what would that be? front facing surface?

 

A light film of grease on the red and the inside edge of the black areas.

 

Ahh, makes sense

 

I don't know how this may apply to the seals in a Taco, but for that particular seal, you would grease the lip - i use engine assembly lube, the red one that's like really thick oil. I just do because an old mechanic once told me it's better.

BUT

On my Ranger, the rear main seal had a teflon lip - not hard teflon, more like it was teflon coated rubber or something similar. On that seal, it was instructed to NOT use ANY lubricant at all, or it would leak. I ended up doing it twice, because I didn't know. First one didn't come with any instructions stating so, but when I ordered another one (exact same manuf and part), the second one came with a piece of paper warning about it.

I researched it, and sure enough found various information about not using lube on seals with teflon lips.

 

Was there a garter spring on the inside of the seal ? Guys add lube to hold the garter spring in place as you press the seal in .
On metal Clad seals like the one in the pic , I have always added a little juice on all the seals I have installed as long as the lube is compatible with the fluid .
Anything is better than a dry start up

 

No springs, just a simple seal[/QUOTE]

 

Gearcruncher is talking about filling the cavity behind the seal where the spring is to stabilize it so it won't slip out when the shock from the hammer tap happens

If there's a garter spring back there, pack some grease in there.

If it's a Teflon seal without a spring, don't use any lube anywhere. Those go on dry