I notice lately I leave a tiny oil leak from the front of my mercedes 240D. I have looked under the car, and it's kind of hard to see the front crankshaft seal with the harmonic balancer etc. in the way. Is the front seal usually the culprit on these for the oil seepage up front? Also, is it a hard job for a diy'er to accomplish, and does anyone have a step by step procedure on doing it? Thanks

If it is a small oil leak. Clean up the area and make sure where it is coming from. Then I would leave it alone if it is the front crankshaft seal. But check the dipstick religeously at every fuel stop just in case it starts to increase leakage.. The only thing I would want to do at this stage is make certain of the source of the leak eliminating the oil cooler hoses for they can prove deadly to an engine and an eye should be kept on them anyways from time to time. This gives you time to decide if you want to change the front seal out or not. Plus some time to study the archives as well.

I was wondering why if it is the front seal you wouldn't repair it? Also, was interested to know if you need a puller to get the harmonic balancer off of the crank or not?

Yes. And you need about six truckloads of patience to get it back on.