Question: 93 rear main oil seal

[USMC 0311]

Hi everyone!
it appears that i have a rear main oil seal leak on my 93. has anyone had this done before? what does it entail and please tell me that the engine does not have to be removed. again thanks for your input!!

 

[John Robinson]

Hi everyone!
it appears that i have a rear main oil seal leak on my 93. has anyone had this done before? what does it entail and please tell me that the engine does not have to be removed. again thanks for your input!!

Before you go any farther take a close look at the back of the engine were the intake manifold is fastened to the engine. I had what I thought was a rear main seal leak and when I looked at the intake manifold I found out the oil was coming from above and running over the bell housing and then dropping were you would think it was the rear main seal. If it is the manifold Two things I would caution about doing the job. 1. Put the seal on the valleys and let it set until it starts to skin over (about an hour or two) and then put the manifold in place without wiggling it around. 2. Be sure to replace the o rings on the fuel rail connections. I can not stress this enough since if they leak the fuel gets sprayed all over the engine and then you will be calling the fire department.

 

[USMC 0311]

Thanks John!

upon further inspection, i found the leak was right at the oil pan. this was a FEW years back around 01 or 02, i took it into a Corvette mechanic for an inspection. during the inspection, he found that the intake manifold was leaking. i guess it took 36K miles later to kind of worsen so to speak. oh, btw, i would never do it myself. i am not mechanically inclined and do not want to call the fire department! i will take it to a professional who has been working on Corvettes for over 20 years. thanks again for the help. How much was your repair bill? i am kind of curious on how much i will fork out! thanks again for your response.
Bruce

 

[toptechx6]

See this link then plug your information in to get a reasonably accurate estimate based on labor rates in area. Auto Repair and Maintenance Estimates | Auto Shop and Mechanic Ratings : RepairPal

 

[John Robinson]

As for cost I bought a gasket(about 20 Bucks) for the manifold and 4 hours later it was apart and back together. Not bad for the first time and being over 70 years old. Later I spent less than 5 bucks for the fuel line seals. Based on how long it took me I would expect a qualified mechanic could do it in less than 3 hours. I do not know what the labor rates are were you live but I would think it should be less than $500.00

 

[USMC 0311]

Seals

You are one strong guy man!! you know your stuff;however, i am pretty much clueless as to repairing my Corvette! i took it into a mechanic today and he found that the largest leaks were at the valve covers and intake manifold. it is going to cost about $770.00. of course i live in California so what can you expect! thanks!

 

[USMC 0311]

Before you go any farther take a close look at the back of the engine were the intake manifold is fastened to the engine. I had what I thought was a rear main seal leak and when I looked at the intake manifold I found out the oil was coming from above and running over the bell housing and then dropping were you would think it was the rear main seal. If it is the manifold Two things I would caution about doing the job. 1. Put the seal on the valleys and let it set until it starts to skin over (about an hour or two) and then put the manifold in place without wiggling it around. 2. Be sure to replace the o rings on the fuel rail connections. I can not stress this enough since if they leak the fuel gets sprayed all over the engine and then you will be calling the fire department.

John: you were right! it was the valve cover seals and the intake manifold seal and the total cost was $850! of course that is here in California!

 

[John Robinson]

Glad that was the problem and not the rear main seal. Just think what it would have cost to replace the main seal.

 

[SnakeDr]

My car is leaking in the same area. This just happened recently. So its either the intake or the rear main seal. But when I pull into the garage. I hear a drip, hiss, drip hiss, drip hiss. First impression is something dripping on a header or cat but do not see evidence as of now.

Got a quote from a well known and reputable Corvette shop. Cost is $940.00 to replace the rear main seal. IF this is the problem, figured I have the front and rear seals serviced on the transmission.

total would be $1268.54

I would assume this is the worst case scenario since this would be difficult to do myself. Inquired what it would cost to rebuild the transmission. That alone is $1600.00.

I will need to investigate further. This past Saturday, I was sitting at a stop light and the car started smoking. Like something was burning.

 

[SnakeDr]

My car is leaking in the same area. This just happened recently. So its either the intake or the rear main seal. But when I pull into the garage. I hear a drip, hiss, drip hiss, drip hiss. First impression is something dripping on a header or cat but do not see evidence as of now.

Got a quote from a well known and reputable Corvette shop. Cost is $940.00 to replace the rear main seal. IF this is the problem, figured I have the front and rear seals serviced on the transmission.

total would be $1268.54

I would assume this is the worst case scenario since this would be difficult to do myself. Inquired what it would cost to rebuild the transmission. That alone is $1600.00.

I will need to investigate further. This past Saturday, I was sitting at a stop light and the car started smoking. Like something was burning.

Jacked the Vette up today. Cranked her over and what did I find? A pinhole leak on the side of the AC Delco Oil filter. That's what my problem was. So I don't need a rear main seal. Of course I was happy SOB!!!

 

[John Robinson]

Don't you just love it when something happens and your mind starts projecting all kinds of catistrophic and costly things it could be. Then it turns out to be something totally different. Good catch on this one. If you had not seen the leak you could have spent hundreds of dollars going after the seals etc.

 

[G Winter]

Just a note about AC oil filters. In the last few yrs the quality has hit the bottom on them. One big thing they changed is putting a plastic cage inside the center.
A friend has a sprint car and almost lost and engine when that plastic broke up and went into his oil system. He noticed oil pressure doing odd things so he tore
down the engine just in time to save. it. I have switch to Purolator filters , have read good revues .