Can a leaking rear main seal cause transmission problems?
What Does the Rear Main Seal Do? The seal is located where the engine’s crankshaft connects to the transmission. This is a part of the vehicle where there is a lot of action happening to make it run. If it does start to leak, then it can lead to major problems, usually within the transmission.
What happens if your rear main seal is leaking?
Rear main seal leaks are so dangerous because it is possible for the leak to occur at a very fast rate. Due to the location, it is subject to high oil pressure. Critically low oil levels can lead to permanent damage to your engine, and if the oil light ever comes on, it is recommended you stop driving immediately.
How serious is rear main seal leak?
The possibility of a very fast leak is the biggest factor that makes it so dangerous to drive with a rear main seal leak. A fast leak can lower your engine oil level to dangerous levels very quickly and dangerously low oil levels can lead to permanent engine damage.
What causes the rear crankshaft seal to leak?
Engine oil condition: One of the factors that can cause the rear crankshaft seal to leak is using the wrong type of engine oil or low oil level. Most engine oils have chemical additives that might affect the seals in the engine. An irregular oil change will deteriorate the seals. Over time, the seals will deplete along with buffers in the oil.
Can a transmission pump leak from the rear main seal?
If the fluid is red, it is automatic transmission fluid and the transmission’s oil pump seal is most likely at fault. Always check the transmission fluid’s color because ATF will turn brown from heat and oxidation. Rear main seal leaks are common, so if the color of the fluid is brown, it’s most likely oil leaking from the rear main seal.
Where is the leak in the transmission shaft?
That gasket can eventually wear out, resulting in a fluid leak. Output shaft seal leaks are a common problem. On vehicles that have a rear-wheel drive bias layout, the output shaft seal is at the rear of the transmission extension housing. The seal prevents fluid from leaking out between the transmission and the driveshaft.
Can a rear main seal leak cause oil to drip?
Now that you know how serious a rear main seal leak can be, it’s important to be able to spot one. If you’ve got a rear main seal leak you will have oil dripping off either your engine oil pan or the front of your transmission called the bell housing. The problem is other leaks can cause oil to drip from this location as well.