I recently replaced my timing cover and harmonic balancer. During the installation process I did not use any grease or lube aside from RTV on the keyway. Now almost a week later I have an oil leak coming from the crankshaft seal. Forums that I have been reading recommend some kind of lube or sealant.

What am I supposed to do here? What materials should I apply? Should I replace the seal again?

 

Yep. Running a seal dry will pretty much ruin it. You could try putting lube on it but you'd still have to pull the pulley. And then no assurance it wont end up leaking just as much.

 

So the best thing at this point would be to pull the pulley and the seal, replace the seal and use some lube.

Is there a specific kind I need to use? Anything else I should put on the seal or the balancer?

 

I always used just a little permatex sealer on the outer mating surfaces. Plastic..then rtv probably better.
On lips of seal and pulley area, just oil is fine.

Seems it would be a tough job getting seal out of cover, though.

 

Is there anyway to save the current seal? Would using the permatex help or am I in for having to get a new one?

Edit: here in a few minutes I am going to try and upload a picture from my harmonic balancer where it meets the seal. I can see silver from the balancer but I'm not sure if I am supposed to.

Here is that picture.

 

It's hard to tell what silver you're talking about, but I'd replace the seal for sure- it is less than $10 last time I checked... And if it's leaking now it is almost certainly leaking because it is damaged. Be careful removing and installing the seal bc the chain cover is plastic and replacing the cover is an even bigger job. Check the seal surface of the damper for damage before reinstalling.

 

Does the cover actually contain oil or is it just a dust cover?

 

Lol, well yes, it's supposed to contain oil.