Cam/Crank oil seal change interval

[01tdiBeetle]

Hello all, I have an 01 New Beetle tdi with 150k on it. I am doing a t/belt this weekend and was wondering when these seals start leaking. I am sure many of you have higher mileage engines. Currently I have no oil leaks and don't want to change them if they are not leaking, but then again if I am about at the end there useful life, I should probably go ahead and change them. I was just wondering when these start leaking approximately or if they rarely leak, just leave them well enough alone. I change the oil regularly with synthetic of course. Thanks in advance. Craig

[DZLBUG]

Hard to say really. Many people do it during a TB change, simply because they are already in there. Others leave them alone as long as they are not leaking.

If you do decide to change them, remember that you will need a new crankshaft bolt, and the Crank Yank tool that Metalnerd sells. DO NOT use an impact on the crankshaft bolt. You can and likely will damage the crankshaft if you use an impact. And since you're in there, you might as well replace the oil pump chain and tensioner.

Am I to assume that you are doing a complete TB job, with a 100k kit; including water pump, tensioner and the 3 rollers and new stretch bolts? Do you have the correct lockdown tools?

Your oil change interval has nothing to do with the integrity of the cam/crank seals...but since you brought it up...define "regular." Oil change interval for this engine is 10k miles, anything more frequent is wasting oil and increasing wear on your engine. What type of oil do you use? I am partial to Mobil 1 TDT 5w40 or Shell Rotella T 5w40. Both are excellent oils that are readily available.

[01tdiBeetle]

Yes I am puting in a 100k complete timing belt kit with all the tensioners, metal H20 pump, and stretch bolts etc. I am renting the tools, hopefully I won't be doing this job again anytime soon. I will probably end up doing the seals, with my luck, they will leak 6 months from now. As far as oil, I use Mobil TDT like you unless Wal Mart is out and then I use Rotella.
As far as your other statement, I usually change it around 8k. I understand changing it more frequently is wasting oil, but how/why would it cause more engine wear?