"Seals are cheap, oil is not!"

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Sat 22 May 2004 23:42
"Seals are cheap, oil is not!" - mfarrow
Hi

I read this in a Haynes manual circa 1980. Does it still apply? I was surprised when I read it considering how little oil is wasted in things like broken crank case seals, compared to the hassle involved in replacing them!

Cheers



Mike Farrow
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Sun 23 May 2004 00:08
"Seals are cheap, oil is not!" - dieselhead
Could be wrong but I think they are refering to the "false economy" of re-using old oil seals and gaskets on an engine rebuild. I think that advice comes before the handy tip advising the hanging of old gaskets on a nail in case you need to use one as a template.
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Sun 23 May 2004 03:37
"Seals are cheap, oil is not!" - trancer
That template then being used to cut out a "new" gasket from a Cornflakes box.
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Sun 23 May 2004 07:56
"Seals are cheap, oil is not!" - Cliff Pope
I agree about the false economy of re-using seals and gaskets. By the time you have dismantled to the point of getting at a crankshaft seal or a head gasket, it would be madness not to replace it. Also seals etc have the potential to save a lot more than just oil - the life of the engine will ultimately depend on it.
There are lots of cheap components in cars that nonetheless do vital jobs - timing belts at £15, gearbox input shaft paper gasket at 50p, axle pinion pre-load adjuster shim at 10p.
Haynes would be on sounder ground saying "oil is cheap, engines are not!"
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