What to do about a rear main seal oil leak?
Main Seal Motor Oil Leak Repair (MS-1), Concentrated Rear Main Seal Repair (1040) and Engine Oil Stop Leak Concentrate (1010) — for rear main seal and other engine-related oil leaks. VS-1 — for an associated oil consumption problem.
What happens if you have a fast leak in the rear seal?
A fast leak will lower your engine oil level to dangerous levels very quickly, which can lead to permanent engine damage. The possibility of a fast leak is very likely, as the rear main seal is in a place that gets a lot of oil thrown at it and has the added wear of the crankshaft spinning inside.
Why does oil leak from the back of the engine?
As a hard-to-reach component, manufacturers originally intended rear seals to last the life of a vehicle with no need for change-outs, unlike various pieces under the hood that drivers are expected to replace every couple of years. Unfortunately, oil can easily leak from the rear main seal due to its placement at the back of the engine.
Where does the oil come from in the rear main seal?
On most engines, oil leaks can occur above and below the rear main seal. It could be a leaking oil pressure sensor, oil pan gasket or galley plug near the seal that causes oil to come from the bell housing. Adding dye to the oil can help reveal where the oil is actually coming from. Check the transmission and oil pan
What to do if your oil seal is leaking?
If your oil level is low, you should check the valve cover and oil pan gaskets to see if there is a leaking seal. The valve seal leak can worsen over time, so it is important to stop it at the first sign of problems. Add an oil stop-leak additive to your engine for a temporary fix.
What can a leaking engine valve seal do?
How to Stop Engine Valve Seals From Leaking. A leaking valve seal can contribute to damage or failure in your engine. The most common leak is oil and it will be dark brown or yellow in color. If your oil level is low, you should check the valve cover and oil pan gaskets to see if there is a leaking seal.
Can a worn out valve guide seal cause oil leak?
As you’d expect, a vehicle with damaged or worn out valve guide seals will end up using more oil than it normally uses as it leaks by the seals. Check your oil level regularly with a dipstick so you will be able to detect this symptom early on.
Why is a rear main seal leak so important?
It’s a very important seal since it is so low on the engine a significant amount of oil can quickly leak from it, allowing your engine oil levels to get dangerously low before you have time to add more oil. That’s why, if yours is faulty, a rear main seal leak fix should be at the top of your to-do list.