Login to enhance your online experience. Login or Create an Account
Logo
Shopping Cart

Shopping Cart 0 Items (Empty)

Massey Ferguson MF50B tractor factory workshop and repair manual download

1) Purpose and failure theory (short)
- Function: the front crankshaft seal is an elastomeric radial lip (usually with a garter spring) that rides on the crank snout and blocks engine oil from migrating out of the timing/drive cover.
- Failure modes: lip hardening/cutting, groove worn into the shaft, seal extrusion from improper installation, warped/damaged cover bore, excessive crank end-play, or contamination (dirt/abrasion). Oil is carried out along the shaft surface by pressure and capillary action; a worn or displaced lip can no longer hold the oil back.

2) Preparations (why each is needed)
- Safety: disconnect battery to prevent accidental starting. Protect clothing/skin from oil.
- Gather parts/tools: correct OEM replacement front crank seal, cover gasket or RTV, harmonic balancer/pulley puller, seal puller/drift/driver, torque wrench, sockets, gasket scraper, cleaning solvent, engine oil. Using the correct seal and clean tools prevents installation damage and re-leak.
- Clean area & contain oil: place drip pan and rags under tractor. If heavy contamination is present, lowering oil level slightly reduces spillage when the seal is removed.

3) Access and removal (ordered with theory)
1. Remove front attachments that block access (grille, fan shroud, fan clutch/fan, belt(s)). Theory: you must expose the crank snout and pulley/harmonic balancer to remove the seal and cover.
2. Remove the accessory/alternator belt(s) and any pulley(s) on the crank snout. If there is a harmonic balancer or pulley pressed on, use a puller — do not hammer on the snout. Theory: the seal and timing cover are behind the crank pulley; forced removal can damage the snout or cover.
3. Remove timing/drive cover bolts and take off the front cover. Keep track of dowel pins and gasket location. Theory: the seal sits in the timing cover or the engine front cover bore; you must remove the cover to get direct access without damaging the new seal.
4. Inspect the crank snout and bearing area: check for deep grooves, flange nicks, corrosion, heavy scoring, or excessive end play. Theory: a new seal will fail quickly if the shaft is grooved or the crank wanders axially; repair or replace shaft components if needed.

4) Seal removal and inspection (ordered with theory)
1. Pry/pull the old seal straight out using a seal puller or small screws evenly around the bore. Take care not to enlarge or score the cover bore. Theory: the seal lip and outer metal case are often seated tightly; removing it cleanly preserves the cover bore for the new seal.
2. Clean the bore and surrounding mating faces; remove old gasket material. Theory: clean, flat surfaces and a proper gasket ensure no oil paths around the cover.

5) Preparing and installing the new seal (ordered with theory)
1. Verify seal orientation: the open lip and garter spring face the oil (i.e., toward the inside of the engine). The flat metal case faces outward. Theory: the lip must press against the rotating shaft on the oil side; reversing the seal results in immediate leakage.
2. Lightly lubricate the seal lip with engine oil and lightly oil the crank snout. Do not use heavy grease. Theory: lubrication prevents dry start friction and protects the lip during initial run-in.
3. If the crank snout has any burrs, lightly stone the edge or put a chamfer on the snout edge (small file) to prevent cutting the new lip during installation. Theory: a sharp edge will nick and tear the lip as the seal is driven on.
4. Use a proper seal driver or a suitably sized socket that contacts the outer case evenly; press the seal squarely into the cover bore until it sits flush or to the specified depth. Tap evenly and rotate around the circumference as you seat it. Theory: uneven seating or cocking will deform the lip or allow a leak path; correct seating compresses the outer case into the bore and positions the lip concentric to the shaft.
5. Replace the timing/drive cover gasket (or use RTV per manual) and reinstall the cover, ensuring dowels and alignment are correct. Torque bolts to factory specs. Theory: a leaking cover gasket will mimic a front seal leak; proper sealing prevents oil escape around the cover.

6) Reassembly and checks (ordered with theory)
1. Reinstall pulley/harmonic balancer, belts, fan, grille etc., torquing fasteners to spec. Reconnect battery. Theory: correct torque prevents shaft distortion and maintains alignment; loose pulley hardware can induce runout and seal wear.
2. Refill or check engine oil; start engine and inspect for leaks at the seal and cover. Run briefly and recheck torque on pulleys/cover after a heat cycle if specified. Theory: observing under pressure and temperature confirms proper seating and no residual leaks.
3. Road/test/workload check: operate for a few hours and recheck for seepage. Theory: some small initial seepage can occur while the lip run-in finishes; persistent wetness indicates a problem.

7) How this repair fixes the fault (concise theory)
- The new seal restores the elastic lip that rides on the crankshaft, re-establishing the hydrodynamic and mechanical barrier that prevents oil migration. Proper seating creates the correct radial interference between the lip and shaft; the garter spring maintains lip pressure against the shaft as rubber relaxes with age. Replacing a damaged seal removes the primary path for oil to escape; replacing or repairing any scored snout or faulty cover/gasket removes secondary leak causes. Correct installation prevents extrusion or immediate damage to the new lip, so the seal functions long-term.

8) Prevent recurrence — checks and causes to address now
- Inspect crank snout for grooves — polish or replace if required.
- Check front main bearing end-play; excessive axial movement causes lip wear.
- Replace cover gasket and ensure cover bore is round and clean.
- Avoid contaminant ingress (dirt on the shaft during installation).
- Use OEM or quality seals sized for the engine and material rated for engine oil/temperature.

Note: follow Massey Ferguson MF50B factory service manual for exact fastener torques, seal part number, and any model-specific removal notes.
rteeqp73

You Might Also Like...

Kryptronic Internet Software Solutions