Rear Main Seal

[blakeX84]

Does anyone have a clue as to what price range I can expect to pay to have this replaced?

 

[AaronsX]

Is that the one on the rear diff or the tranny?

 

[blakeX84]

Tranny I believe.

 

[AaronsX]

Okay thats something different than what I had to replace, so I don't know much about it. I replaced my tranny extension housing seal and it took me about 6 hours and $7 for a new seal + new tranny fluid and filter.

 

[Ricel]

Output on the engine? Or output on the tranny?

If its the 'rear main seal' that is the rear engine seal.

To replace it requires dropping the transmission. It's a lot of work and will prob cost you a pretty penny. I did a quick search and saw people On the interwebs getting quoted 2.5k. Maybe taking it to a tranny shop it might be cheaper quote.

How bad is it leaking? Have you tried oil stop leak additives?

 

[TheFauxFox]

To replace it requires dropping the transmission. It's a lot of work...

This. Its completely possible, but its very time consuming and requires getting your hands in some extremely tight places.

 

[Muadeeb]

Has anyone actually done this? We've had a DIY garage open up down here and I'm entertaining the idea of replacing the seals. $23/hr for a lift with tranny jack.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Has anyone actually done this? We've had a DIY garage open up down here and I'm entertaining the idea of replacing the seals. $23/hr for a lift with tranny jack.

Wish I could find one of those. Talk with Nesty. He's dropped and swapped his transmission and can probably help you out.

I've dropped a transmission and will say it is an utter pain without proper experienc and/or help. I had a hard time separating the engine and transmission as well as finding all 10 bolts that hold it to the engine.

 

[Cyclemut]

I have, several dozen times. It's a PIA. You have to drop the torsion bars, exhaust back of the cats and have some pretty decent knowledge of things to come.

I'd make sure it's actually the rear main seal and not the oil pan leaking.

 

[Muadeeb]

I was reading the procedure for dropping the tranny, and it does look daunting. The back of the pan keeps a sheen on it, but I'll probably not tackle it until I have to replace the tranny.

 

[MechPatt587]

How bad is it leaking? Have you tried oil stop leak additives?

I would not recommend stop leak additives for oil leaks... It just seems risky to me... Additives aren't intelligent and don't only target your problem. By that i mean you can't direct it to just go to one place it goes everywhere the oil pump sends it, and some oil passages are very small like the ones that oil the crank or the cams. One of those getting stopped up by stop leak could less to even more and more serious problems.