Oil Leak - possible rear main or sump or both?

[AlpineRaven]

VN V6 Series 1 engine in Series 2 body.

I have a bad oil leak and it has to be fixed!! because its burning oil off on the exhaust pipe and blowing blue oil smoke. Engine DOES not burn oil because the exhaust is clean. & I cannot bring the VN in the driveway as I have pavers and I don't want to drip oil on the driveway as my father in law will kill me.

The oil is leaking just under the bell housing between rear of the engine front of automatic trans. When I went under it to have a look, used 13mm spanner to check out these 2 bolts on the rear of the sump, both are loose, so Its sussed out that I have a leak on rear of the sump's gasket and possible!? leaking from rear main seal.

My mate said I am damn crazy that I am going to take the engine out again with transmission attached to replace the gasket and rear main seal... Do you guys believe I am doing the right thing which is lot easier, takes me about 45 mins to take the engine out.

The reason is, because of limited working spaces if the engine is still in engine bay due A/C compressor and engine mounts that are in the way if I am changing the sump gasket & easier to remove auto trans to replace the main seal.

While I am doing that, what is good idea to replace while the engine is out? ie. service oil pick up pipe etc?

Cheers & thanks
AP

[AlpineRaven]

Turns out to be rope seal.. bitch!
Cheers
AP

[05 VZ SS]

Pardon the ignorance...Rope Seal...What the!!!

[AlpineRaven]

its a seal on the end of the crankshaft (where it meets the gearbox) to prevent oil leaks, on V6 Series 1 Engines has rope seal, VN Series 2 upwards has rubber seal.
Cheers
AP

[CLE]

My VP Berlina leaks from both the rear main seal and sump. Such is life!