Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Rear Main Seal?

[Sean Flanagan]

At 175k miles my 98. 5 has developed a substantial oil leak coming from what appears to the be rear main seal. I've replaced the valve cover gasket, and it doesn't look like it's the oil pan. Also, I get a little shuddering in my clutch when backing up, but it is a SouthBend ConOFE (It has shuddered since the clutch was new).



Has anybody else out there had rear main seal problems?

 

[Rob Thomas]

The rear main seal isn't difficult to replace (about 5 minutes) after the trans is removed. Replaced one on a customers truck recently, it only had 79,000 miles on it.



Good luck, Rob

 

[Huff N Puff]

Before you condem the seal

Check your breather hose make sure you dont have it immersed in oil that has filled the breather bottle. This will pressureize the crankcase pushing oil out of seals. Merv

 

[Sean Flanagan]

Rob,



Do you have to pull the Oil pan to replace the seal? I guess I should look in the shop manual.



Huff N Puff,

The 98. 5 doesn't have the silly little bottle. I think it was added in 99 or 2000. My truck just spews out the end of the hose.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Nope, you don't even have to touch the oil pan. The manual shows the entire procedure. Don't bother with a slide-hammer either, unless you have one, (you'll see in the manual) simply drill 2 small holes in the seal, and install 2 small screws, and pull the seal out with a pair of pliers, piece of cake.



Rob