2000StreetRod
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- May 26, 2009
- Messages
- 10,597
- Reaction score
- 334
- City, State
- Greenville, SC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 00 Sport FI, 03 Ltd V8
Part of the reason I decided to pull my 2000 SOHC V6 was to fix a very slow oil leak at the rear of the engine. I just assumed that it was the crankshaft rear main seal that was leaking since there is over 150,000 miles on the odometer. When I searched the forum I learned that there are three possible sources of leaks at the rear of the engine. I immediately eliminated the lower oil pan gasket since the oil stains were above where the lower pan mounts to the upper pan/reinforcement structure. After pulling the engine and examining the rear of the block I can't tell from the stains if the rear main seal is leaking or if the gasket between the reinforcement structure and the block is leaking but I will replace both.
From my forum search I also learned that many members who replaced their rear main seal were not satisfied with the results. In some cases the replacement seals immediately leaked and in others leaking began within a few thousand miles.
My Haynes manual is rather vague about the rear main seal replacement process. It mentions screwing a couple of sheet metal screws into the old seal, pulling it out, and driving in the old one.
Some posts on the forum indicate there are different types of seals and one of the Ford ones requires a special tool. There is also mention of the importance of how far to drive in the seal. One member mentions a special Ford seal kit that includes two seals of different diameters.
The photo below shows two FelPro seals listed on RockAuto for my SOHC engine. They don't appear to be equivalent.
I could not find an adequate step-by-step replacement procedure on the forum.
Please share your knowledge and provide me assistance in how to proceed to acquire and install a long lasting, reliable seal on the first attempt.
From my forum search I also learned that many members who replaced their rear main seal were not satisfied with the results. In some cases the replacement seals immediately leaked and in others leaking began within a few thousand miles.
My Haynes manual is rather vague about the rear main seal replacement process. It mentions screwing a couple of sheet metal screws into the old seal, pulling it out, and driving in the old one.
Some posts on the forum indicate there are different types of seals and one of the Ford ones requires a special tool. There is also mention of the importance of how far to drive in the seal. One member mentions a special Ford seal kit that includes two seals of different diameters.
The photo below shows two FelPro seals listed on RockAuto for my SOHC engine. They don't appear to be equivalent.
I could not find an adequate step-by-step replacement procedure on the forum.
Please share your knowledge and provide me assistance in how to proceed to acquire and install a long lasting, reliable seal on the first attempt.