Rear main seal leak

[SLICKS92BRONCO]

I noticed oil leaking from the rear of the oil pan, is this a real main seal leak? Is it anything to be concerned about? I have 250k and my truck doesnt use any oil. Is this hard to change? Thanks

 

[Roadkill]

It could be the oil pan gasket or the rear main. You will need to clean the area very well and observe after every trip to know for sure. You can also remove the rubber access plug on the bottom front of the transmission bell housing and check for engine oil in there. If there is engine oil in the bell housing it is most likely the rear main. With 250K there's a pretty good chance that it is the rear main. The only way to get to the rear main on your truck is to seperate the engine and transmission. That means either the engine has to come out or the t-case and tranny have to come out. Once you have access, it takes about 5 minutes to change the seal. Then you have to put it all back together. A lot of work if its not making a big mess or using a lot of oil.

My personal opinion:

If it is on a drop or two and your not consuming any oil between changes, I would not bother with all that work soley to change the seal. I would wait until the transmision or engine needs to come out for overhaul and take care of it then. (with 250k, that may not be too long anyway) Some might disagree with me, but I just think that is a lot of work for the amount of benifit.

 

[Yardape]

I agree totally with Roadkill, one other factor to consider. I don't think I read whether or not you have a manual transmission or not, Rear main seal leaks with cause oil to get on your clutch, makes the clutch pretty slippery .

 

[Roadkill]

I agree totally with Roadkill, one other factor to consider. I don't think I read whether or not you have a manual transmission or not, Rear main seal leaks with cause oil to get on your clutch, makes the clutch pretty slippery .

Good point. I just asumed the Eddie Bauer came with automatic. At some point in the '90s, Ford stopped offering manual transmission with the 351, but I can't remember which year.

 

[Yardape]

I thought of that as I was posting but I figured enough people read this so maybe it could help someone else too. its still a good point that could get overlooked

 

[bigtrux]

LIKE THE OTHERS SAID ALOT OF WORK . IF IT AIN'T USING MUCH. BUY A GOOD BOTTLE OF ENGINE SEALER AND CALL IT A DAY . TRUST ME I PULLED MY TRANNY AND ALL REPLACED REAR MAIN AND OIL PAN GASKET TO PUIT ALL BACK TO GETHER FER THE ENGINE TO CHIT ITSELF ANYWAY IT HAD 189,000 . SO IF YOU CAN HOLD OFF DO SO OR YOU MIGHT AS WELL REBUULD THE ENGINE WHILE YOU DOING ALL THAT WORK .. JUST MY OPINION I BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.. BUT NOW I GOT A REBUILT ENGINE AND AM HAPPY.

 

[SLICKS92BRONCO]

LIKE THE OTHERS SAID ALOT OF WORK . IF IT AIN'T USING MUCH. BUY A GOOD BOTTLE OF ENGINE SEALER AND CALL IT A DAY . TRUST ME I PULLED MY TRANNY AND ALL REPLACED REAR MAIN AND OIL PAN GASKET TO PUIT ALL BACK TO GETHER FER THE ENGINE TO CHIT ITSELF ANYWAY IT HAD 189,000 . SO IF YOU CAN HOLD OFF DO SO OR YOU MIGHT AS WELL REBUULD THE ENGINE WHILE YOU DOING ALL THAT WORK .. JUST MY OPINION I BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.. BUT NOW I GOT A REBUILT ENGINE AND AM HAPPY.

Whats a good engine sealer to use? Thanks for your advice.