Front/Rear Main Seal or Heads?
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
From: Clearwater,Fl
Front/Rear Main Seal or Heads?
150,000 Miles Stock
Note: I bought the car with 147,000m. Tune-up a week after to include; Plugs & Wires, Oil (synthetic 10w-30) Fuel & Air Filter, and Thermostat. Drove from WI to VA and back. Then drove from WI to FL. Currently: Changed Oil and Filter, Flushed Cooling System, New Brakes & Rotorsx4. Has a little over 150,000m. The "check engine light" comes on but shuts off within 3-5 min. Has a small cooling problem but never gets to the red in heavy traffic.
When I first bought the car it had no oil leaks at all. I checked thoroughly. I just took a look today and I seen oil splashed all over the bottom of the timing chain cover around the hub. I also seen it up to the top left pulley (I am looking from below, head towards the front of the vehicle) Not sure what pulley it's for and I haven't checked.
I then looked at the rear of the engine where connected to trans and the cover is oily. (sorry I'm not sure what that cover is called).
I have never had oil leak problems except for the small amount that comes from the valve cover bolts. I think someone didn't use a sealer for them. I read it could be that the heads need torqued, as they loosen over time. It also read that could cause it to look like the main seals are leaking. What do you think?
The previous owners were very good to the car. Even has a newer paint job. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to name everything. I tried to describe as best possible. Thanks for the help!
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 0
Recently discovered that many seal leaks come from a bad PCV system. Causing a pressured crankcase instead of a vacuum. Worth an easy check.
Wouldn't hurt to switch to a high mileage oil either. I've heard bad things in the past if switching an engine that used conventional oil over to synthetic so that's worth trying also.
Wouldn't hurt to switch to a high mileage oil either. I've heard bad things in the past if switching an engine that used conventional oil over to synthetic so that's worth trying also.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 283
My 94 has been leaking lately too. I tried to Rear Main Seal leak stop, stuff. Not sure if its working yet, only time will tell. Another leak that I have was the front and rear oil pan seal. My car has many miles too. The whole engine/trans were soaked, fron/rear/and both sides,
It may be worth one messy afternoon to replace some of these seals that you think it might be. I did it and cleaned everything else up as best I could while I was down there. If it still leaks from somewhere after that, at least you know what seal it IS NOT.
It may be worth one messy afternoon to replace some of these seals that you think it might be. I did it and cleaned everything else up as best I could while I was down there. If it still leaks from somewhere after that, at least you know what seal it IS NOT.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,942
From: Kissimmee, Fl, USA
What oil did you change to? Sometimes switching to a synthetic will clean all the gunk away from seals an 'uncover' an oil leak or two.
Oil around the crank pulley is usually the timing cover seal...a minor pain in the tail.
Oil on the top of the bellhousing (transmission connection to the engine) intake manifold seal leak....another minor pain in the tail.
Oil on the flywheel or flex plate but not on the sides of the oil pain...rear main seal...major pain in the tail.
Oil on the sides and back of the oil pan, oil level sensor....really minor pain in the tail.
Good luck!
Oil around the crank pulley is usually the timing cover seal...a minor pain in the tail.
Oil on the top of the bellhousing (transmission connection to the engine) intake manifold seal leak....another minor pain in the tail.
Oil on the flywheel or flex plate but not on the sides of the oil pain...rear main seal...major pain in the tail.
Oil on the sides and back of the oil pan, oil level sensor....really minor pain in the tail.
Good luck!
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