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I have two related questions. Has anyone had recent experiences of the red main/clutch oil seal leaking? We use the Mini Spares performance version 13H2934MS. These have given good service for years, but recently, have had a few engine builds that leaked profusely, and the seals show signs of premature wear when going back into the engine to replace them. We have speculated that maybe there has been a material change that could have resulted in the wear.

Additionally, does anyone bead blast the sealing surface of the primary gear for cleaning before reassembly? We have done this for years with no ill effect, but wonder if this step, coupled with a material change, could cause wear of the clutch seal. We are now going to polish the seal surface of used primary gears to try to prevent this possible contribution to oil leakage.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Thanks.

Michael
Seven Mini Parts
USA

i have just blasted a clutch housing and have left the primary gear oil seal in place just for that very reason.

Just blasted one time in my lifetime the surface of a primary gear. It was such a mess that i ever only polished the surface wth max 400 polishing band...

I only use LUF10005 black primary seal nowdays.

I'll find the specs and post them up, but in short, all lip type seals only have a certain range of run out they will withstand and they also have a range of surface finish they can work on too. I'm not sure what type of finish your blasting is leaving, but the surface dose need to be quite smooth though not polished.

I've found with the Mini Spares seals if they are left for a while (ie, car parked up) and then run, they will weap a little initially but usually settle and seal again OK.