Replace the front crankshaft seal on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, requiring removal of the harmonic balancer and timing cover to access the seal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM Mopar or Cummins specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Harmonic balancer bolt (if TTY) × 1 — Verify if reusable - often single-use
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Mopar copper washer
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Replace during oil change

Fluids

• Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend — 13 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect both battery terminals (negative first) to prevent electrical shorts
3. Allow engine to cool completely (minimum 2 hours)
4. Raise and support vehicle securely on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove engine splash shield and skid plates if equipped
6. Place large drain pan under engine oil pan
7. Remove oil fill cap to aid drainage

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain engine oil
   Remove the oil drain plug and allow all engine oil to drain completely into the drain pan. This may take 10-15 minutes due to the large capacity. Once drained, reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove serpentine belt and accessories
   Using a breaker bar on the belt tensioner, rotate it counterclockwise to release tension and remove the serpentine belt. Remove the belt tensioner assembly by removing its mounting bolts. If equipped, remove the fan shroud bolts and carefully lift the fan shroud away from the radiator to provide access. The mechanical fan and viscous coupling may need to be removed depending on clearance.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove harmonic balancer
   Using an impact wrench, remove the harmonic balancer bolt (crankshaft pulley bolt). If the crankshaft rotates, place the transmission in gear or use a flywheel holding tool. Once the bolt is removed, install a Cummins-specific harmonic balancer puller and carefully extract the balancer from the crankshaft snout. Do not pry against the timing cover. Inspect the balancer for rubber deterioration or damage.
   ⚠The harmonic balancer is heavy and may come off suddenly. Support it during removal to prevent dropping.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove front oil pan bolts
   Remove only the front section oil pan bolts that interfere with timing cover removal. Typically this is the front 6-8 bolts. Mark their locations as they may be different lengths. Slightly loosen but do not remove adjacent bolts to allow the pan to drop slightly. You do not need to fully remove the oil pan.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect sensors and wiring
   Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor electrical connector. Remove the sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the timing cover. Keep the sensor clean and away from metal debris. Disconnect any other sensors or wiring harness clips attached to the timing cover.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove timing cover
   Remove all timing cover bolts, noting there are two different sizes: 10mm head bolts and 8mm head bolts. Keep them organized by size and location. Carefully pry the timing cover away from the engine block using a gasket scraper at designated pry points only. Do not damage the mating surfaces. The cover may be sealed with RTV in addition to the gasket.
   ⚠Do not pry between the cover and block mating surfaces as this can cause warping. Use only designated pry points.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove old front crankshaft seal
   With the timing cover removed and placed on a clean work surface, carefully pry out the old front crankshaft seal from the timing cover bore using a seal puller or small pry bar. Work around the seal circumference to avoid cocking it in the bore. Clean the seal bore thoroughly with a clean rag and inspect for any damage, burrs, or corrosion that could damage the new seal.
8. 8

   Install new front crankshaft seal
   Lightly lubricate the new seal outer diameter and seal lip with clean engine oil. Position the seal squarely in the timing cover bore with the spring side facing inward (toward the engine). Using an appropriately sized seal driver or large socket that contacts only the outer edge of the seal, carefully drive the seal into the bore until it is flush with the timing cover surface. Verify the seal is seated evenly all the way around.
   ⚠Do not drive the seal in crooked or strike the center of the seal face as this will damage the sealing lip.
9. 9

   Clean and prepare mating surfaces
   Thoroughly clean all gasket material and old RTV from both the timing cover and engine block mating surfaces using a gasket scraper. Be careful not to gouge the aluminum surfaces. Clean the crankshaft snout and inspect for any damage or scoring that could damage the new seal. Wipe all surfaces with a clean, lint-free rag dampened with brake cleaner. Ensure no debris falls into the engine.
10. 10

    Install timing cover with new gasket
    Position the new timing cover gasket on the engine block, ensuring all alignment pins and bolt holes are properly aligned. Apply a small bead of RTV silicone at the engine block-to-oil pan junction areas (typically four corners where three surfaces meet). Install the timing cover, carefully guiding it over the crankshaft snout without damaging the new seal lip. Start all timing cover bolts by hand before tightening any.
    ℹ️The timing cover must be installed within 10 minutes of applying RTV to ensure proper sealing.
11. 11

    Torque timing cover bolts in sequence
    Following the timing cover bolt tightening sequence from the service manual (typically starts at top center and works outward in a specific pattern), torque the 10mm head bolts first, then the 8mm head bolts. Tighten in multiple passes: first to 50% torque, then to final torque specification. This ensures even clamping and prevents cover warping.
    ⚠Following the correct bolt sequence is critical to prevent oil leaks and timing cover warpage.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall crankshaft position sensor
    Clean the crankshaft position sensor tip with a clean rag. Apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the sensor O-ring. Install the sensor into the timing cover bore and tighten the mounting bolt. Reconnect the electrical connector ensuring it clicks into place.
    Torque spec

    Sensor Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall harmonic balancer
    Clean the crankshaft snout thoroughly and inspect for any burrs or damage. Lightly oil the crankshaft snout and the inner bore of the harmonic balancer. Slide the harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft, aligning the keyway with the crankshaft key. Using a harmonic balancer installation tool, carefully press the balancer into position until it is fully seated (the front face should be flush with the end of the crankshaft snout or at the specified depth). Install the harmonic balancer bolt with thread lock compound if specified.
    ⚠️Never hammer the harmonic balancer onto the crankshaft. This can damage the crankshaft, balancer, or front seal. Always use a proper installation tool.
14. 14

    Torque harmonic balancer bolt
    Using an impact wrench or torque wrench while preventing crankshaft rotation, tighten the harmonic balancer bolt to specification. If this is a torque-to-yield (TTY) bolt, verify whether it requires replacement and follow any additional angle-tightening specifications in the service manual. Ensure the bolt is fully seated.
    ℹ️Some applications require a new TTY bolt. Reusing a TTY bolt can result in bolt failure.
    Torque spec

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall oil pan bolts and accessories
    Reinstall the front oil pan bolts that were removed, torquing them in sequence from center outward. Reinstall the belt tensioner, fan assembly (if removed), and fan shroud. Route and install the serpentine belt according to the belt routing diagram. Reinstall any skid plates and splash shields that were removed.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all timing cover bolts are properly torqued in sequence
2. Verify the harmonic balancer bolt is torqued to specification
3. Reconnect battery terminals (positive first, then negative)
4. Fill engine with 13 quarts of Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil and install new oil filter
5. Allow RTV sealant to cure for at least 1 hour before starting engine if specified by sealant manufacturer

Verification

• Start engine and allow it to idle for 2-3 minutes while monitoring for oil leaks around the timing cover
• Check oil pressure gauge to ensure proper oil pressure is achieved immediately
• Inspect the front crankshaft seal area closely for any oil seepage during initial run
• Shut off engine and recheck oil level after 5 minutes, top off as needed
• After 24 hours of normal driving, inspect timing cover and front seal area again for any delayed leaks
• Check for proper serpentine belt alignment and tension

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