Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I see it's possible to buy a double lip seal for rear of crank from Burton.
It's a lot more expensive than the original single lip seal.
Is it better and has someone fitted a double lip seal. When fitting do you need to put some grease around between the seals so it never runs dry, if so what grease.
Thanks for ideas
Alan

I've bitten the bullet and bought one from Burtons. I expect it to arrive within a week or so and can post pictures when it does.

I expect though that all it is is an OEM Ford one rather than an aftermarket one. I don't believe the double lip rubbish. If it were double lip the outer lip would be quickly destroyed due to lack of lubrication.

You could probably walk into a Ford dealer and order one for a new (relatively speaking) Ka or Zetec and it would be the same thing. To be honest in the end I couldn't be bothered to try and check. When it arrives I'll let you know the current Ford part number if it's moulded in to short cut the effort for you so you can order direct from a Ford dealer ! This particular seal size fits a wide variety of models including some Hondas.

With these there are a number of different rubber compounds it could be made of, Viton, Nitrile, AKM, etc. If it's a Ford part you can be fairly certain a quality rubber has been used whereas with the aftermarket stuff you are taking a gamble. Quality rubber costs more.

Hi 2cams

I rather agree with you the outer seal will be suspect from clutch dust etc.
I have never had leaks from rear seal its always been the front seal especially if you over fill the sump.

But interested to know how it works out

alan.barker wrote:I see it's possible to buy a double lip seal for rear of crank from Burton.
It's a lot more expensive than the original single lip seal.
Is it better and has someone fitted a double lip seal. When fitting do you need to put some grease around between the seals so it never runs dry, if so what grease.
Thanks for ideas
Alan

Hi Alan
I've fitted this seal:

Look here too:http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-gearbox-f37/clutch-change-t38791-15.html#p269030
Urs

The big question is the more expensive seal better. I have just ordered a sump set + the expensive seal to put in my stock of gaskets. I have an Elan Sprint and also 2 TVR's (V6 Essex) which is the same double lip seal by chance.
Alan

The "Double lip" seal from Burtons arrived today. Can confirm that the Ford part number is 86HM6701A1A. Looking at the seal itself there is no Ford part number stamped on it but it does have the manufacturer details. The manufacturer is Corteco and the numbers are B1BAVISLRSX7 and 79.36 - 95.25 -11. The seal is brown in colour and therefore almost certainly made of Viton rubber material. Viton is a superior grade of rubber which explains the additional cost.

As expected the "double lip" description just means it has a secondary outermost lip for protection from dust and grit. It doesn't do any oil sealing - the inner lip does all of that. Most of the ordinary seals have this too so it's not a special feature as such.

Pictures of normal seal on left and "Double lip" type on right attached together with the Ford box it came in for reference.

I just received a Sump Set and also a Double Lip Seal from Burton. The double seal is like yours and made in Germany.
I've just struggled all afternoon to change the thick spacer/seal on the Fuel Pump.
I'm hoping the oil leak is from the Fuel Pump Spacer. I checked the flange on the Fuel Pump which was bowed a lot, so i filed it flat.
If there is still an oil leak i will put up with it for a few weeks so i can be more zen
Well the German double lip seal does look very nice and it will also fit my TVRs with Essex V6 motors
Alan