posted 06-02-2008 01:04 AM ET (US)        

But what is really wierd is I open up the split and found a fair amount of grease (or aged oil). Is this "stuff" suppose to be there, or do I have a build-up of crude.

I squeezed around and the entire gasket is hollow. Additionally the gasket is one ellipictal piece (like an O-ring) it doesn't have a splice.

I find it hard to imagine that the seal intentionally had grease injected in it. Seems odd.

If grease is not intentional I am embarrased at how much crude built up in there.