LEAK ON REAR MAIN SEAL

[The_Detroit_SHO]

I have a small and slow leak coming from the rear main seal on my 95 ATX... i was originally going to get it fixed but after my mechanic told me how much extra it was going to cost along with the rest of the work he was doing i backed out cuz i didn't have that kind of money. he wanted an extra 550-600 on top of the 1200 already... to fix it he said he had to pull out the trans.. is this true??? and how worried should i be if i don't get it fixed. since its not that bad??

 

[drivinhard]

chances are it's not the rear main or the carrier, but the pan seal on that end of the motor. They leak all the time, and run down the oil pan between the tranny...looks just like it would if it was a rear main. It's a bunch easier to replace (oil pan removal) than the rear main (tranny removal).

 

[naval-avi8or]

drivinhard is absolutly correct. Change your pan seal its not that hard or nearly as labor intensive as the rear main seal. You will need to remove the Y pipe and starter. The gasket is a little under 30 bucks and you'll have to order it. srfdude just did it on his 90 mtx and could give you advice if you need some.

 

[DJ SHO]

How many miles on your ATX? I have 125k and think mine could be leaking the same way. It's not a lot but under a lot of high rpm drving it leaks more.

 

[naval-avi8or]

I've got 150K.

 

[smcallis]

Just went thru the same thing. I replaced the rear main, carrier and oil pan gaskets. In hind sight it probably was the oil pan gasket.

 

[jthomas68]

My oil pan always seems to be covered in oil.Does that sound like what you guys are seeing too?Luckily,it`s not enough to drip,but the pan looks like ass.

 

[naval-avi8or]

Same as mine. I never have to add oil between changes and this past year I haven't even been able to change it the regular interval. I'll be replacing the pan seals next.

 

[jthomas68]

I`ll have to go ahead and do that myself.It doesn`t drip out,but there is an ugly oil film on the pan.I guess if it`s getting sealed,it`s a good time to paint the pan as well.Is there a good source for the pan gasket?

 

[SHOfear]

I have an extra rear main seal if anybody wants one. Brand new in the original packae. I had the same problem, bought the seal, then replaced the ones on the oil pan.

Steve

 

[srfdude]

Yup, I thought it was the rear main as well until I pulled the pan to change the bearings.....nice looking copper bearings, by the way. Whats that, not supposed to be copper? OO Anyway the front and rear pan bearings were both hard and leaking, the rear more. The flywheel was still dry; normally indicating the main hasn't started leaking (yet).
Mike

 

[The_Detroit_SHO]

DJ SHO,
I got 65k