Crankshaft Rear Seal with Retainer Plate: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan, may cause engine failure.

NOTE: The engine is equipped with a cast aluminum (early build) or stamped steel (late build) crankshaft rear seal retainer plate. If the engine is equipped with a stamped steel plate, the seal and plate must be removed as an assembly and discarded.

NOTE: This procedure is for removal of the crankshaft rear seal and retainer plate. If only removing the crankshaft rear seal, refer to CRANKSHAFT REAR SEAL .

All Crankshaft Rear Seal Retainer Plates

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. REFER to JACKING AND LIFTING .
Remove the flexplate. Refer to FLEXPLATE .
Remove the crankshaft sensor ring.
Disconnect the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor electrical connector.
Remove the bolt and the CKP sensor.
Remove the 2 oil pan to crankshaft rear seal retainer bolts.

Cast aluminum (early build) crankshaft rear seal retainer plate
Special Tool(s): Remover, Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal 303-519 (T95P-6701-EH) and Slide Hammer 307-005 (T59L-100-B).
Remove and discard the rear crankshaft seal.
Remove the 8 crankshaft rear seal retainer bolts.

Install the 2 M6 oil pan bolts (finger-tight) into the 2 threaded holes in the crankshaft rear seal retainer.

Alternately tighten the 2 bolts one turn at a time until the crankshaft rear seal retainer-to-cylinder block seal is released.

Remove the crankshaft rear seal retainer.

Stamped steel (late build) crankshaft rear seal retainer plate

NOTE: Cast aluminum crankshaft rear seal retainer plate shown in illustration, stamped steel crankshaft rear seal retainer plate similar.

Remove the 8 bolts and the crankshaft rear seal retainer plate.
- Discard the plate and seal assembly.
All crankshaft rear seal retainer plates
NOTE: Only use a 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) to clean the crankshaft rear seal retainer plate. Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes or any other power abrasive disk to clean the crankshaft rear seal retainer plate. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths.

Clean the crankshaft rear seal retainer plate using a 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) in a suitable tool turning at the recommended speed of 15, 000 RPM.
- Thoroughly wash the crankshaft rear seal retainer plate to remove any foreign material, including any abrasive particles created during the cleaning process.
NOTE: Place clean, lint-free shop towels over exposed engine cavities. Carefully remove the towels so foreign material is not dropped into the engine. Any foreign material (including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces) that enters the oil passages or the oil pan, may cause engine failure.

NOTE: Do not use wire brushes, power abrasive discs or 3M™ Roloc® Bristle Disk (2-in white, part number 07528) to clean the sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges that make leak paths. They also cause contamination that will cause premature engine failure. Remove all traces of the gasket.

Clean the sealing surfaces of the cylinder block and oil pan flange in the following sequence.
1. Remove any large deposits of silicone or gasket material.
2. Apply silicone gasket remover and allow to set for several minutes.
3. Remove the silicone gasket remover. A second application of silicone gasket remover may be required if residual traces of silicone or gasket material remain.
4. Apply metal surface prep to remove any remaining traces of oil or coolant and to prepare the surfaces to bond. Do not attempt to make the metal shiny. Some staining of the metal surfaces is normal.