Rear main seal?

[415pb]

I finished my rebuild about a month ago. I've driven my teener for only about 20 miles since. I have a small puddle of oil on the garage floor, which I believe is coming from the small window in between the engine and tranny.

I drove it today for a couple of miles, parked it in the garage and it immediately began to drip oil from the above location. I checked my oil and it is about an eighth inch to a quarter inch above the full mark. I guess I over filled the oil. I replaced the rear main seal during my rebuild and can't imagine that this is the problem. It is definately oil and not gear oil.

How hard would it be to remove just the tranny and not the engine. I don't think I can go through removing the engine again, but I will if I have too. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rod

[MXMARK]

Rod, I am not a pro but I have done a rear main seal on my 914. I did it with the engine in the car. I did pull the trany all the way out to get a good shot at the seal. Be real carefull not to damage the crank while pulling it seal. I have heard that sometimes the oil galley plugs will spring a leak. After you pull the flywheel make sure you check these galley plugs. I hope this helps. Good luck Mark.

BTW make sure you suport the engine before and after you remove the trans.

[yoh!!!]

You sound pretty confident about the location... just keep in mind that the fan on your aircooled engine might blow oil that leaks from one place to a different location. Oil coolers and their rubber seals like to leak - and the gallery plugs (front and back) are a good hint as well.

[robinaube]

Removing just the tranny is easier than dropping the engine. Go ahead and try it. Just remember to put a jack or jackstand under the engine to support it. I use a jackstand with a screw adjustment. I set the stand to just touch the engine sump before I loosen the tranny mounts.

The engine weight is supported by the two mounts at the front of the engine plus the two mounts at the back of the tranny. Otherwise you will risk damaging something.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

First, check the stuff that's coming out. Smell it--if it smells like sulphur (rotten eggs), it's transmission oil. Motor oil does not smell as nasty.

Next, oil will go toward the bottom rear of the car. Gravity will pull it down, and the air flowing over the car when the car is in motion will push it toward the back. So leaks are usually at the furthest forward and furthest up point where you find the leaked-out oil. Make sure you don't have any leaks that could get to the bellhousing.

And yes, removing the transmission without removing the engine is pretty easy. You will likely have to lower the back of the engine a little bit, so you might consider loosening the front mounting bolts so you don't put too much stress on the rubber engine mounts. And don't use a jack to support the engine for a long time (especially overnight), they can sag. Which will tear your engine mounts. (Guess how I know??)

Look for a loose or leaking oil gallery plug when you have the flywheel off the engine. That is another possible source of leaks. Pain to deal with if it happens.

Clean up the clutch disk, pressure plate, and flywheel friction surface with acetone if you find any oil on any of those.

--DD

[415pb]

Dave, the fluid on the ground does smell pretty nasty, I guess like rotten eggs. It is also a little thicker than oil. Can you tell me what on the tranny could cause this leak between the tranny and engine.

Thanks,
Rod

[MXMARK]

Rod, there is a seal for the trans shaft in the tran case. I have replaced this seal also. It is preety easy. Again, be carefull not to gull or damage the shaft. The seal is behind the cone that goes around the shaft. There are two 10mm nuts holding the cone in place. I hope I have not forgotten anything. If so I am sorry. It was easier to do the trans seal then the main seal. HOPE IT GOES SMOOTH. Mark