Patent Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for installing an engine seal include the steps of removing the existing seal and repositioning a replacement seal therein. A varying-diameter sleeve is compressed, inserted into the replacement seal and released. A telescoping pipe is inserted into the sleeve and extended until the seal is perfectly seated within a designated groove.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is entitled to the benefit of provisional application number 61/383,530 filed on Sep. 16, 2010, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing an engine seal. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Frequently, a coolant leak is caused by a faulty seal that seats within a designated groove formed on an engine block. Properly positioning a replacement seal within the groove is tedious and laborious, and often requires removal of the timing cover, belts, the water pump and/or the engine heads. As a result, replacing the seal can be extremely costly and time-consuming. Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that assists a mechanic with properly installing an engine seal. The present invention addresses this need by using an expandible sleeve and a telescoping pipe to force an engine seal within a designated groove. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for installing an engine seal, particularly the type typically found in certain vehicles, such as BMW&#39;s. The method comprises the steps of removing the existing seal from the front coolant opening on an engine block and repositioning a replacement seal therein. An expandable sleeve is compressed, inserted into the seal and released. A first end of a telescoping pipe is inserted into the sleeve and a second end is extended to the rear coolant opening on an opposing end of the engine block. When the pipe is further extended with a pair of locking collars, the sleeve expands to propel the seal into a designated groove. 
         [0005]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that assist a worker with installing an engine block seal. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that significantly reduce the time and expense associated with repairing or replacing an engine seal. 
         [0007]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the expandible sleeve for use with the method according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts the telescoping pipe installed within an engine block. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a front end of an engine block with the seal properly installed therein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an isolated view of the telescoping pipe. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0012]    The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for installing an engine seal, particularly the type typically found in certain vehicles, such as BMW&#39;s. The method comprises the steps of removing the intake manifold and valley pan from the engine block  70  and severing an internally-disposed coolant pipe; an end of the pipe extends through a front coolant opening  10  having a circular groove with an existing annular seal positioned therein. Using a tool, the existing seal is removed and the groove is thoroughly cleaned with a pneumatic drill and wire brush. Residual coolant is removed with a wet vacuum and a new seal is lubricated and positioned within the groove. 
         [0013]    The apparatus for use with the method according to the present invention includes an expandable sleeve  1  formed of a metallic sheet  2  having two opposing free edges  3 . The sheet is formed into a ring with the free edges overlapping slightly allowing the circumference of the sleeve to be varied. 
         [0014]    The apparatus according to the present invention also includes an extendable pipe  12  having a first end  30 , a second end  31  and a first, externally-threaded section  40  received within a second, hollow section  42 . A primary locking collar  13  and an anchoring collar  14  mounted on the threaded section are tightened against the hollow section to extend the length of pipe, as desired. 
         [0015]    At the first end of the pipe is a larger-diameter portion  65  and a smaller-diameter portion  60  that form an engagement shoulder  61  therebetween. The smaller-diameter portion is dimensioned to tightly fit within the sleeve  1  while the shoulder engages the sleeve periphery to thrust the seal into the designated groove formed within the front opening  10 . 
         [0016]    At the second end of the pipe is an O-ring  43  and a gasket  44  having an outer surface that substantially conforms to the rear coolant opening  50  on the engine block. A second O-ring  45  is positioned between the primary locking collar  13  and the inboard end  78  of the hollow section to form a liquid-impermeable seal therebetween. 
         [0017]    The method according to the present invention includes placing a new annular seal  48  within the front coolant opening  10  on the engine block, compressing the sleeve  1  and inserting it through the seal  48 . The smaller-diameter portion  60  of the hollow section is inserted into the sleeve and the pipe is extended until the gasket  44  properly seats within the rear coolant opening  50 . The primary locking collar  13  is tightened against the hollow section  42  to further extend the smaller-diameter portion  60  into the sleeve. Simultaneously, the sleeve expands to thrust the seal firmly within the designated groove and against the timing cover(not pictured). The primary collar  13  is then loosened slightly to allow proper positioning of the O-ring  45  and is then re-tightened. The anchoring collar  14  is tightened against the primary collar  13  to fix the pipe, sleeve and seal in an operating position. 
         [0018]    The present invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts described above. For example, though the device has been primarily described as being designed for a BMW, the method and apparatus according to the present invention could be used with virtually any item having a seal that seats within a groove. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied to suit a particular application. 
         [0019]    Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5