Rear Main Oil Seal Leaking

[Hardstylin]

I did a quick search on the forums about a rear main oil seal leak, I've read that you have to replace the rubber seal and it can be purchased from Holden?

How easy is it replacing it? Should I just get the mechanics to do it? Kinda low on coin at the moment so I'm trying to find the cheapest solution.

Help is always appreciated, thanks.

[accentstencil]

If your low on coin, now is not the time to replace the seal because the transmission needs to come out to get to the seal and that means it's going to cost a bit, unless you do it yourself. It might even be more involved than that, if I remember correctly the seal is in two parts and that would be a lot more work to insatl. I suggest frequent oil changes so the oil remains thicker. When I had a leaking rear seal I kept the oil level just a bit lower (not too low) and that helped.

[Cheap6]

Yeah, labour's going to kill you as the parts aren't very expensive. VP use a one piece ring type seal and either the trans or the engine has to come out. Probably 3-4 hours remove and replace with just the trans., depending on the mechanic.

If it is only the seal that is leaking it can be done by removing the trans. only. If the seals between the engine block and the main bearing cap are (also?) leaking, the engine has to come out.

Pulling the trans is straightforward but installing the new seal takes a little bit of skill to ensure that it is installed square to the crankshaft axis (running surface).

If the crank is damaged i.e. there is a groove worn in it by the seal, that will also have to be addressed either by pushing the new seal in slightly short so that it runs on a different place on the crank or installing a sleeve over the worn surface to restore it.

Unless it's absolutely dripping, I'd be inclined to simply wash the oil off periodically. Not particularly environmentally friendly I know.

[ScoHar]

I've had 3 V6 commodores where the rear crank seal has been leaking, had all 3 fixed and they still leak anyway, something to do with the seal wearing on the crank so when you replace it there is somewhat of a valley effect happening on the crank, I personally wouldn't bother just keep checking ya oil.

[Hardstylin]

I've had 3 V6 commodores where the rear crank seal has been leaking, had all 3 fixed and they still leak anyway, something to do with the seal wearing on the crank so when you replace it there is somewhat of a valley effect happening on the crank, I personally wouldn't bother just keep checking ya oil.

Unfortunately I don't have a choice, it's needed for a roadworthy.

Thanks for all the helpful info everyone.

[Pub247]

Clean the oil off and take it somewhere else the mechanic is probably hoping that by saying it needs doing you'll pay him to do it so ou can get a roadie

[PaRaDoX]

yeah, clean it up best u can...

if you have to park it round the corner, wipe off the oil and take it in :P run the thickest oil you can buy... penrite make a product called "STOP BURNING" its like 20-70 or something...

i think the rear main is a rope seal? but yeh flex plate/flywheel has to come off to get at it... and i THINK rear main cap has to come out too... (a real asshole to do, if you dont retorque it properly then you'll spin a bearing...)