foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

I have a very small oil leak that looks to be right at where the engine is mated with my auto tranny. It is coming from under a small cover on the engine next to the cross-member. A picture of the area is attached. Does anyone know what this is? Anyone have this leak before? What would it take to repair it?

I aplogize for the crappy picture quality, but it was at night and I was taking it with my cell phone using a flashlight for light, HA! Hopefully it is clear enough to where someone can provide some input.

Thanks....

Love_00_Max

RMS (rear main seal) is leaking.

You are not alone, I have had this for the past 50K miles... I don't intend to fix it till I loose 1Q a week and see a puddle under the vehicle. I have had the leak under control using HM oils.

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

Hmmm...damn. I guess I'll just check with the shop because I am leaning on taking my Max in for the ball joint replacement anyhow.

Right now I'm only losing about 0.25 quarts between oil changes so it really is not a bad leak at all. It can stand to be left alone for a while until it becomes a bigger issue, it just annoys me.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

in order to change that seal, the engine needs to be pulled out. the dealer quoted $1000 dollers for that.
instead of the engine pan, my tranny pan is oily. servo gasket and pan gasket need to be replaced soon, so do the valve covers.

VQP0WER

Yup, RMS is not a fun task.

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

Ok...yeah it can definitely wait then. HA

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

The engine needs to be pulled, does it? Is that what the dealership told you?

Chances are slim that it's the RMS itself, anyway. More likely to be the upper oil pan gasket directly beneath it.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

changing the main seals? yes.

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

actually, RMS is failry easy to do your self. or to me anyway. it could be the oil pan leaking, or the rear main. eatherway both should be changed. IMO

the motor def does not have to be pulled. thats the dealer trying to stick it to you.


i have changed a rear main, and oil pan gasket. in my backyard, in about 8-10 hours from time driven in yard, to time it was driving out.

thats 3.5 idk if there is a diff.

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

oh ya, and most of the time if its RMS it will leak when the motor is running. and when its shut off it may or may not leak.


but if its oilpan leaking its mostly leaking while jus sitting there.



someone chime in if im wrong

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

I'd try a high mileage oil and see if that helps, at the price the dealer wants, I'd just go ahead and get a low mileage use engine and swap it in when the oil leak gets real bad. More initial cost but unless your mileage is pretty low, I couldn't see dropping a grand on the engine for just a gasket replacement. Rather add the cost of a lower mileage engine on to the bill at that price.

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

Thanks! I'll check more into it. My next oil change I'll probably drop the oil pan and change the gasket there and get a closer look at that area.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

The upper pan?

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

Yes...after looking at the FSM it seems I would need to drop the upper and lower pans to get anywhere close to the rear main seal.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

You do, it's just the way you said it that made it seem like you thought it was a 'simple' pan drop like most other cars.

Drockb418

iTrader: (10)

yup i have the same prob BUT it does not drip its just there no leak or nothing theres a nice stain were it may leak like once a month.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

clean it up and see if it's really worth worrying about! I hate leaks and I never seen any improve with time.....