Question-Rear Main Seal

[cudabob496]

Whenever I park my Cuda, I'll get about a tablespoon of oil leakage under the rear main seal. Does this mean when I'm driving it, it is leaking the same, or more?

[Cudadrag]

I think it does. I have not heard of a rear seal (Burping) When you park the oil settles to the bottom of your bellhousing then leaks out. It should get progressively worse. The good news it sounds that it doesn't need immediate attention but eventually you will tire of the mess. Do you have adequate valvecover breather? if not the rear seal maybe where the motor is burping from crank case pressure.

[John Kunkel]

Before you blame the rear main seal check for other possible leak sources like the VC gaskets, intake gasket and OP transmitter....these leaks tend to accumulate at the bottom of the bell.

[cudabob496]

thanks guys, ya, both valve covers vented.
I'll take a closer look when I get underneath!
bascially been doing the same thing ever since the build
10 years ago.
got my handy drip tray and cat litter.
I always loose a quart every 500 miles or so. I have the thinner rings
on the JE pistons,and it dosen't smoke, so may just be loosing a little everytime
I drive it.

[440roadrunner]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

Before you blame the rear main seal check for other possible leak sources like the VC gaskets, intake gasket and OP transmitter....these leaks tend to accumulate at the bottom of the bell.

In addition any oil plugs (like the cam plug) at the rear of the block. VERY easy to get fooled by oil running down the back of the engine.

[340_GTS]

If it is doing it while you are driving it, the oil will be all over the bottom parts of the transmission and also accumulate on everything aft of that.

[cudabob496]

Originally Posted by 340_GTS

If it is doing it while you are driving it, the oil will be all over the bottom parts of the transmission and also accumulate on everything aft of that.

Good point. Dont seem too messy, but will have to take a closer look.
(more fun, had to spank an Audi 3.2 turbo today!)

[Skwerly]

I had a rear main go out on my jeep cherokee, and the entire underneath, as well as the back hatch area, was totally oiled up. i checked and checked and nothing else was leaking, so a buddy and i changed it. nothing since.

but yes, a rear valve cover leak can really seem like an RMS leak. check all other possibilities first, because that rear main ain't fun. :P