Rear Main seal

[Tims93]

I've developed an oil leak over the winter, so I took the car to my mechanic and he says it coming from the rear main seal. If anyone has had this replaced recently would you mind sharing how much it cost you? The mechanic said he would get back to me tomorrow with a price but I would like to hear from some of you just to ease the shock. Also, if I let the drip continue am I risking any damage? It's pretty minor, maybe a dozen drips on the floor when I park it in the garage in between rides. Thanks for any input, Tim (1993 coupe, auto)

 

[kenwa]

I'm just guessing but I'll say $50 in parts and $900 labor. The trans has to come out to get to the one-piece seal, which means the exhaust has to go and on and on... I don't think the oil pan has to be removed, so that might help. The leak shouldn't hurt anything, athough a dozen drips between drives seems like a lot.

Whatever he says, I'd get a second opinion and quote. Also, are you still using synthetic oil? It's harder to contain than regular oil. You might consider switching.

Good luck,
Ken

 

[bradfordsvettes]

that sounds about right hopefully the mechanic won't run into rust problems :cry steve

 

[Tims93]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know what he says this afternoon.

Later, Tim

 

[RedRagTop]

Don't take his word for it, the main seal job is a real con for mechanics to pull. Lots of labour, no parts hardly. Many have been taken by that one.

 

[JonM]

I would also try checking the back of the manifold and dome covers for leaks.

 

[Mart]

I was convinced I had a rear main seal leak, but when I psoke with a corvette shop he said right off the bat that it is more than likely a manifold leak, he was right, Gotta love honest shops.

Check the back pass side on the intake, there is also sometimes a coolant leak as it gets worse.
This was a known issue on early C4's not sure about later ones

Mart

 

[bradfordsvettes]

I would also try checking the back of the manifold and dome covers for leaks.

this it true check the manifold also the rear main will leak the most while running park the car and let it run and see if you get puddles under the inspection cover area steve

 

[larry bud]

Why would a main seal be more labor than a clutch change?

 

[Tims93]

I've only have one estimate in at this point and it was for $450. He said about $35 parts and 7 hours labor, seems fair but I'm going to have a couple other people look at it this weekend. Thanks for the input on the manifold, I'm going to take a closer look at that this weekend also. Later, Tim

 

[kenwa]

Tim, what did the shop say?

 

[kenwa]

Whoops! Overlapping posts.

I'm glad it was less than I thought.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

Why would a main seal be more labor than a clutch change?

there is a little more work involved . with the new one piece rear main seals they need to go in square to the block and crank or will leak for sure just when that is the question.all prices will vary depending on shop rates at a dealer at 85 an hour it does not take long for a high bill , a garage at 50 an hour would be a deal he may be good or bad just like a dealer. just shop and get a reference, price is not the bottom line the correct repair is steve

 

[drags1998]

Seems 450-500 would be reasonable.But before you lay out the cash,Start the car, bring it to operating temp. hold the throttle at 2000-2500 RPM for 2-3 min. have a helper inspect the rear of the intake manifold for leakage!!!! If no leak is found after doing this(at the top of the intake) Then it is likely the rear mainseal.Good Luck!!

 

[Tims93]

Update,

Had the car running at idle for about 15 minutes to get it up to temp and only found one small drip that looked like it was coming off a weep hole on the bottom of the bell housing. More disturbing to me was some wetness on the frame near the front of the motor under the water pump. The area of the pump appeared dry so I took the car back to the mechanic and he pressure checked the cooling system and it held pressure for 15 minutes, so he's thinking the waterpump is going. Could this be from the intake or is the waterpump the likely culpret? My gut reaction is to replace the waterpump, just to avoid opti problems, but I thought I would get some of your thoughts before I start throwing money at it. You know what they say, "When it rains, it pours". Thanks again for your help, Tim

 

[compyelc4]

If you detect weeping from the pump weep hole then by all means replace it. An opti will cost you more than a rear main seal!!!

 

[Mart]

Was it coolant or oil on the frame, and it is very difficult to see the back of the intake maifold, no actually it's impossible from the top.

If your are still unsure find a reputable vette shop that will look at it, most vette shops will not charge you to look at it, whereas a dealer wants $$ just to look at them, if you can't tell I hate all dealers, sorry dealers.

Mart

 

[EOLIVER]

The old rear main seal leak. I would get another opinion as others have suggessted. I have a 1987, auto that the dealer said had a rear main seal leak. I got a second opnion and it turned out be to be a leaking oil dipstick seal.