Rear main seal

Ctan · 07-04-2009, 12:56 PM

Ok,

So I've been pissing oil for the last little while and finally caught the leak. Oil's running down from (as far as I can see up) the rear main seal.

I can change it out... if I had a hoist that she'd fit on. But alas I don't so it's off to the shop she goes.

Anyone know how many hours labour it should take to swap out the seal? She's an 84 with an 88 NA engine. The shop here's pretty good, they don't drag their feet on jobs.

Thnx

krystar · 07-04-2009, 01:41 PM

u should be doing a clutch job while yer there.

it's basically same time as a clutch job

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Yeah, about 12 hours, probably longer. Either the engine gets dropped, or the transmission gets dropped.

While you're in there, the clutch should be checked as stated, since it's open and all.

Ctan · 07-04-2009, 02:29 PM

Exit, by tranny do you mean the Clutch/flywheel housing? The tranny's at the back of the car.

krystar · 07-04-2009, 02:52 PM

the engine or the tranny has to be dropped in order for the torque tube to move out of the way so u can get to the clutch housing in front.

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

Yep.. alot of work. Do the clutch as mentioned, its all coming out anyway.

Count on atleast 8 hours labor if done by an experienced shop. For a first timer, 12-14 hours i think is reasonable.

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

In order to get enough room to remove the bell housing (where the rear seal is), the engine will either have to be moved forward and dropped, or the transmission will have to be dropped so that you can move the torque tube back. There's no real way around it. You need to create enough room to get that bell housing/clutch assembly off. And the only way to do that is to move either the engine forward and down, or the transmission backwards.

I'd almost prefer dropping the transmission than the engine. Far fewer bolts to keep track off and less obstacles in the way. All in all, it's a very tedious job.

If you can drive to central PA, we'll do it for you

Ctan · 07-04-2009, 05:04 PM

I could but that's a few hours (20ish I think) from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada :P Thnx for the offer though.

I was thinking of the torque tube (even though I just looked at it) as something more along the lines of a drive shaft with U-joints and a telescope. Damn you Porsche! Why must so much enjoyment be so poorly designed!?!?!

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Yes, it should be that easy, shouldn't it???

jgporsche · jgporsche's Garage

Rear main may not be the leak. On my 1988 944 it was leaking from the bottom seal on the oil separator. This leaked directly onto the front of the flywheel and only showed itself when the car sat and drained right down the center of the flywheel and would leave a oil spot as big as a frisbee.

I would stick/stuff a rag below the separator over night and see if it leaks. Naturally I found this after pulling a perfectly good motor, but found the PO had replaced the clutch lately so it wasn’t a total lost of effort!

John_AZ · 07-28-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ctan

But alas I don't so it's off to the shop she goes. Thnx

You have been given correct hours to complete the job. The cheapest I have read in the past few months for a "basic" clutch job-labor and clutch set-was $1200 to $1400. If the shop runs into problems with the sensors and other stuff your cost will go up. I would budget $1500+ USD if I had a shop do the work. Tax/shop fees/waiting for parts and finding more to repair WYAIT.

GL
John_AZ