rear main seal ?

mytoy · 04-30-2011, 10:05 AM

Just a quick question on the rear main seal. If your seal is leaking would you not be having trouble with the clutch slipping? Or in other words if you are not having problems with the clutch then can you assume that the rear seal is fine and look elsewhere for your oil leaks?

Thanks

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

All I would know (or have read) has to do with "leakages" in proximity of the clutch,...as these leaks can enter the clutch arena and wreak "havoc".....although not sure on 1983...

Have you other oil leaks?

Best!

Doyle

mytoy · 04-30-2011, 11:14 AM

Yes I have several leaks that I am tracking down. I know the front seal is leaking as well as the oil cooler and the triangle area. Just debating on whether to remove the tranny and clutch to check that seal.

nreed · nreed's Garage

If your rear main seal is leaking, it won't affect the clutch. It's all in behind the flywheel.

mytoy · 04-30-2011, 02:04 PM

Thanks guys. Guess it looks like dropping the tranny is in my future.

MH911 · MH911's Garage

I would take care of the triangle and oil cooler leaks first before you start thinking you need to drop the tranny to attend to the main seal. The main seal might not be a problem after all.

mytoy · 04-30-2011, 05:23 PM

Well MH911 I thank you for your input. Just don't know what to do. I have dropped the engine and trans for all the oil leaks and also to convert to EFI. This thing has been blowing oil out like a mother. 1 Liter per 200Km. It does not burn oil just pushing it out from somewhere. The rear bumper gets covered with oil. The whole underside is covered. So I decided to pull her to see where the oil was coming from. Seems there is oil from the triangle, front seal area behind the pulley, valve covers, etc. This thing leaks like a sieve. I would just hate to replace every other seal and not replace the rear seal to find that it is a problem also. Just don't know how to diagnose whether or not it is leaking without seperating the trans from the motor. Just don't want to add additional work or while your in there expense if you know what I mean.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

The oil cooler seals go bad too. It is sort of toward the front of the engine-closer to the clutch than not-and a leak there can get channeled in strange directions.

MH911 · MH911's Garage

Gary, It does sound like you have multiple leaks. If the engine/trans are already out, I would just go ahead and replace all the leak prone gaskets, seals and rings. The over all cost of these parts is pretty low anyway.

I had just recently replace two of the three triangle area problems, plus the oil cooler rings. So far, luckily, it has been dry there.

andyt11 · 04-30-2011, 07:26 PM

yeah, if you already have the engine and gearbox out, its only four studs and then whip the clutch and flywheel off. You'll need new flywheel bolts and a clutch alignment tool but thats it. Could be done in no time at all.

mytoy · 04-30-2011, 08:41 PM

Yes I know

. I guess that I was hoping that I would not have to pull the tranny but looks like I have to face the inevitable. I guess I will end up replacing all outer gaskets, seals, O rings etc. on this thing.

One other question. Are there any head gaskets on the 3.0 as there seems to be a lot of oil at the bottom of the heads. Could this come from the oil cooler or am I looking at removing the heads and replacing head gaskets as well? No broken head studs as far as I can determine.

Thanks

TibetanT · TibetanT's Garage

Hello There:

I am certainly no expert, but in view of your last statement with regard to oil near the bottom of the heads, then my best guess is:

1) Broken head studs or loose head stud causing oil to blow.
2) Possibly your cam towers are leaking due to rocker arms walking or bad seal there.
3) Oil return tubes leaking due to old/bad o-ring gaskets
4) Crush gaskets at the oil pressure oil lines at cam tower and the chain box cover.

Have you checked the usual suspects? Such as: the oil pressure switch and oil pressure sending unit's gasket, and the breather cover gasket, all at the rear of the engine? (Rear meaning flywheel end.) Those gaskets will make a mess if they are leaking badly. Not to mention, like Ed said, the oil cooler seals being bad and leaking.

I agree with other's comments above that if the engine and transmission are already out, separate the trans from the engine and install a new rear main seal.