Nuisance oil leak management - guidance on front crankcase seal replacement?

[DXB]

During my last two annuals, it's been pointed out to me (I believe correctly) that my front crankshaft seal is leaking, but the amount of oil I've seen in my cowl when I do oil changes has been modest, and I saw no urgency to addressing this issue.  The issue has progressed now to the point that after I leave the plane sitting for a week after flying it, I'll find small puddles of oil on top of my airbox and at the back bottom cowl, along with a few drops on my nose wheel.  Overall oil consumption is not detectably changed, and everything else on the engine is quite dry of oil (excluding top of muffler, bottom of sump, and front of the carb as one would expect) .   Until now, I saw no problem with waiting to change the seal. If it didn't get worse, it would get replaced at overhaul of my ~1650hr, 23yr SMOH O-360-A1D, which may not be too far off given the years on the engine.  But now I wonder if an increasing oil leak from this location is gumming up my alternator and starter and will lead to other problems, or if it's on the cusp of becoming a really serious leak.  The seal itself is a $25 part, but of course my Hartzell Top Prop (12 years, 1100 hours since new) will have to come off for the first time, making it a bigger job.  The prop also has a slow leaking seal on one blade that I've watched for 4 years with minimal concern, but I think IRAN/overhaul for that along with replacing my crusty 23 year old alternator belt would be in order at the same time.  

Maintenance opinions from the experts??  I'm never cheap with things that matter, but I hate throwing money at problems that aren't really problems - been there, done that, never again.

Edited November 7, 2023 by DXB

[EricJ]

Removing and replacing the prop isn't too difficult.   Replacing the seal and the belt aren't very difficult once the prop is off.   If you have a prop shop within driving distance and you're worried about the leak, it'd be a good opportunity to have it looked at while it's off, but otherwise you can just put it back on.

I'd replace the o-ring at the hub for the prop at the same time.

None of it is very intrusive, so it's not creating a lot of risk of causing additional issues.

[N201MKTurbo]

If you are using the non-slitted seal, put it in a pan of boiling water for about 5 minutes before you stretch it over the prop flange. It will make it a lot easier. I take the camp stove to the hangar.

[Shadrach]

It has been my experience that many prop shops will no longer IRAN props that are near or beyond calendar TBO.  The last manager of East Coast Propeller told me that he would not do anything that could be interpreted as imprudent in court. He said providing maintenance outside the manufacturers' guidance would look terrible at a trial.  

Might be a good time to replace the alternator belt on general principal.