Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rear Main Seal Ooze

[Matt42]

I may be having issues with the rear main seal. Fred Swanson replaced it when he did my clutch about 10,000 miles ago. The problem is that I don't drive the truck much, and then not particularly hard. So I am told that oil tends to leak past the mail seal, when then causes issues with the throwout bearing. That in turn causes the throwout bearing to misbehave and act as if the clutch is worn out, so that the "felt" clutch engagement seems to all be at the upper end of the clutch pedal action. There's just enough leakage to goop up the throwout bearing and eventually gum up the clutch disc, and to cause the occasional drop to form at the base of the bell housing. But not enough of a leak to make a puddle.

Does this sound right?
Is there anything I can do about it?
Is there a better rear main seal part number for the next time I have to tear into it?

To put it all into ugly perspective it's a 1996 with just under 76K miles on it, mostly city stop and go driving.

 

[NIsaacs]

Are you sure it is engine oil? I would guess transmission oil, based on where you are having problems. I would think the engine oil would not get past the large flywheel or maybe they are both leaking.



Nick

 

[Matt42]

Hmmm. That could be easier to deal with, also. I will check fluid levels.