View Full Version : how bad of an oi leak, before you change your engines rear main seal?
HBARleatherneck
10-04-2014, 09:26
I am probably going to change the rear main seal on my wifes truck today. Ford Ranger 2.3l.
How long do you wait before you change yours? I am guessing its losing a quart every 2-3k miles. Its not bad, but you can smell it on the exhaust. And it leaves a nice little drip on the driveway.
Personally, I would rather just wait a while to do it, as I am too busy to mess with it. Especially if something goes wrong. But, if I wait I will be doing it when the weather is bad, gargage is cold, and the trucks under carriage is harder to powerwash clean.
Same issue with my Cavalier.
As far as when to do anything, it really depends on the individual. Some folks would fix it as soon as it started leaving spots on their driveway or garage floor. Some people could care less and as long as the darn things doesn't run completely out of oil once or twice a week they will not even bother fixing it.
If you are going to fix it, I say do it really soon before the cold weather moves in and makes it a miserable task like you mentioned or put it off until spring time.
Also, I am not all that familiar with anything Ford builds. But are you certain it's the rear main seal and not an oil pan gasket or something?
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2014, 09:56
As far as when to do anything, it really depends on the individual. Some folks would fix it as soon as it started leaving spots on their driveway or garage floor. Some people could care less and as long as the darn things doesn't run completely out of oil once or twice a week they will not even bother fixing it.
If you are going to fix it, I say do it really soon before the cold weather moves in and makes it a miserable task like you mentioned or put it off until spring time.
Also, I am not all that familiar with anything Ford builds. But are you certain it's the rear main seal and not an oil pan gasket or something?
On his truck, it's the rear seal. Might as well do the water pump, thermostat, , new hoses etc while it's out.
You need to borrow my hoist?
On his truck, it's the rear seal. Might as well do the water pump, thermostat, , new hoses etc while it's out.
You need to borrow my hoist?
He's not seriously planning on pulling the engine, is he? It's way less work to pull the transmission.
It really depends on the mileage of the vehicle and if you see using it in the future. Being it is 2.3 liter it is an older truck so it is a personal decision. If it where mine high mileage due to the age I wouldn't fix not know how long the rest of the truck has to live.
I'm debating doing the clutch on my Cavalier. It doesn't need a clutch, it needs a release (slave) cylinder, which is located inside the transmission, so I might as well do the clutch while I'm at it. I'm worried this job is over my head, and I KNOW it's not worth the money on parts since we only paid $900 for this car a few years ago. I told someone I would sell it to them after I fixed it. I half want to do this just to prove to myself that I can. Also, to relate this to the thread, I'm pretty sure the rear main seal is leaking, so I may address that as well. I will probably start my own thread though. Especially since I took most of next week off to do this.
Want to do my 7.3l rear main? It let loose last week and is loosing a half qt a day parked.
Want to do my 7.3l rear main? It let loose last week and is loosing a half qt a day parked.
You sure it's the main seal? Anything that leaks in the valley will drain down the back of the block too on the PS's.
valley has no new oil, rear seal was weeping before
Are you done yet HBAR? I just started.
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2014, 16:24
Are you done yet HBAR? I just started.
give him a call. I have ;)
I got the starter out and I think I'm a couple of bolts and maybe an hour away from having to support stuff. Need to go pick up my rolling jack and a cherry picker.
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2014, 18:33
I spent about an hour and a half. I got my tools out, set it all up so my 10 year old could hand me tools. I had him line up all the sockets and wrenches in order. I removed the transmission. I quit. Tomorrow, I will do whatever I feel like doing. Probably Im going to check the valve cover for leaks and replace if needed, check the oil pan and re-seal it if it looks like it needs it. I am not putting it back together until I know there wont be anymore leaking.
Depends?
jerrymrc
10-04-2014, 18:56
may I borrow some of yours? I cant make mine stop leaking, I wish I could.
He buys them at the second hand store.[panic] Just a quick trip through the dryer and they are good as new. [LOL]
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2014, 19:45
He buys them at the second hand store.[panic] Just a quick trip through the dryer and they are good as new. [LOL]
I've been selling recycled condoms on e-bay. You'd be surprised what the demand there is.
REAL AMERICAN HEROES......you know who you are
mcantar18c
10-04-2014, 20:41
I'm debating doing the clutch on my Cavalier. It doesn't need a clutch, it needs a release (slave) cylinder, which is located inside the transmission, so I might as well do the clutch while I'm at it. I'm worried this job is over my head, and I KNOW it's not worth the money on parts since we only paid $900 for this car a few years ago. I told someone I would sell it to them after I fixed it. I half want to do this just to prove to myself that I can. Also, to relate this to the thread, I'm pretty sure the rear main seal is leaking, so I may address that as well. I will probably start my own thread though. Especially since I took most of next week off to do this.
Clutch is actually fairly straightforward, just tedious and time consuming. You'll be fine. I obviously can't physically come help, but you're welcome to PM me if you have questions.
Want to do my 7.3l rear main? It let loose last week and is loosing a half qt a day parked.
PSD or IDI?
Clutch is actually fairly straightforward, just tedious and time consuming. You'll be fine. I obviously can't physically come help, but you're welcome to PM me if you have questions.
Thanks for the pep talk. I got as far as getting about half the stuff disconnected and got the starter out before I had to do other stuff. I'm confident I can get it all apart, it's getting it back together that I'm worried about.
HBAR, great progress!
mcantar18c
10-04-2014, 22:50
Thanks for the pep talk. I got as far as getting about half the stuff disconnected and got the starter out before I had to do other stuff. I'm confident I can get it all apart, it's getting it back together that I'm worried about.
HBAR, great progress!
A clutch kit will come with a plastic dowel with the proper spline diameter and count for your vehicle to align the clutch with. That's the only place you could mess up, really, and it's still pretty simple.
No, I mean actually putting the transmission back in correctly. On a side note, I originally bought a Master and Slave cylinder, replaced the Master, and returned the Slave. I bought those parts from Napa. I checked Napa today, and they want $280 for the slave cylinder. I went onto Rockauto.com and ordered a LUK OEM clutch kit that includes the clutch AND a slave cylinder for $125. Everyone on the Cavalier boards I browsed seemed to like LUK stuff for factory clutch replacement. If I was going to have to pay $300 for the slave, and $300 for the clutch, I wouldn't have bothered at all.
mcantar18c
10-05-2014, 07:25
I know, I'm saying that other than aligning the clutch, the rest of the job is hard to screw up... just line up the holes and stick bolts in them. Take pictures while disassembling and if you're really concerned, tape and number the bolts and corresponding holes.
Also I've used LUK before and have no complaints about them, wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
And all I am saying is to take a look at it if you can. It would be the shits if you get a new clutch in and in 10k the timing chain needs to be replaced, or a hole gets ground in the side of the timing cover draining your oil as you're driving down the interstate.
Actually, that'd be great. I told my niece that I would teach her to drive a stick, and set her up with this car once I had it running. This car is old and beat, and probably worth a few more dollars than the scrapper would pay. I really want my niece to be able to get a job and have transportation because she has NO support from her family. Fixing this car is about helping her take her first step into adult hood. When I go to fix my Amigo, I'll take a closer look at things. :)
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