Can anyone tell me what exactly this is?

 

Anyone???? Anyone know????

 

It's the seal around the crankshaft as it exits the "front" of the engine. The harmonic balancer or accessory pulley is connected to the "front" end of the crankshaft.

Steve

 

That sounds right. When I googled it, it came up with crankshaft seals.

 

To add to what SRTech said, the front crankshaft seal goes around the crankshaft at the timing chain cover. It is a metal ring encased in rubber that prevents oil from escaping at the crank. It is fairly easy to access and is not hard to replace by the do-it-yourselfer although the tools are a bit pricy. If it is leaking a little around the outer diameter it won’t do any damage as long as engine oil is commensurately replaced. If the inner diameter of the seal is worn through to the metal, scoring of the crankshaft could occur so don’t take a chance, replace the seal if that’s why you are asking about it.

 

I wasn't sure he wanted to know that much so I gave him the short version.

Steve

 

That's funny! Here's a shorter version...I haven't a clue as to what either of you just say.