Rear Main

[mcelwajy]

I don't post very often, but I thought I'd throw this and see what sort of feedback you guys can give me.

Towing jet skis this afternoon and suddenly there is smoke coming out from under the X and oil spraying all over the place. Pull over, can't seem to see where its coming from. Check the oil, its full....weird right? whatever

Get it home, still plenty of oil...weird....but sit under it with the motor on and oil is coming out between where the tranny meets the motor...all indications lead to a rear main right?

So I'll begin that mess this coming friday...any advice for rear main/tranny removal?


FYI--93 Eddie Bauer 4x4

 

[2000StreetRod]

Engine oil or ATF?

If you're sure that it's engine oil then it's probably your rear main. How long has it been since you replaced your PCV valve? If it is sticking then excessive pressure might be building up in your crankcase and forcing the main seal to relieve the pressure. The following link may help some on replacing the main seal: Leaking rear main seal

 

[TedJ]

Are you sure its not trans fluid? The front seal on these tranmissions is somewhat prone to blowing out and it will make the mess you are describing. Check the trans fluid before you start the wrong job.

The A4LD is not the toughest trans, but you can have a good life from them if you take care of it, i.e. Light duty towing only, trans cooler, frequent fluid changes, etc.

It is possible to overheat it depending on road conditions and your right foot, especially if you do not have the factory trans cooler and you are towing. This can contribute to seal failure and fluid blowing out of the vent tube on the side.

There is an access panel under the carpet on the trans hump which will help in getting to the top bellhousing bolts when you get there. Depending on what trans jack you are using it is possible to remove the trans and transfer case as one unit but it is heavy that way. You will probably want to remove the exhaust and Y-Pipe to get more room to work and maneuver the trans. It is supposedly possible without removing it, but I personally would like to have as much room as possible to wrangle the trans. Also make sure you have the right socket for the driveshaft bolts.

 

[snoranger]

Also the driveshaft bolts have external torx fasteners so make sure you have the right socket.

You sure about that? You sure that they aren't 12mm 12point?

 

[TedJ]

I'm not sure.... for some reason I thought they were e-torx. I'll go edit that out...

EDIT: Upon searching I would believe you are correct. Good call.

 

[mcelwajy]

If you're sure that it's engine oil then it's probably your rear main. How long has it been since you replaced your PCV valve? If it is sticking then excessive pressure might be building up in your crankcase and forcing the main seal to relieve the pressure. The following link may help some on replacing the main seal: Leaking rear main seal

Unfortunately 100% sure its oil. I'll look into the PCV, but 2 months ago it was rattling just fine. Thanks guys!

 

[mcelwajy]

There is an access panel under the carpet on the trans hump which will help in getting to the top bellhousing bolts when you get there. Depending on what trans jack you are using it is possible to remove the trans and transfer case as one unit but it is heavy that way. You will probably want to remove the exhaust and Y-Pipe to get more room to work and maneuver the trans. It is supposedly possible without removing it, but I personally would like to have as much room as possible to wrangle the trans. Also make sure you have the right socket for the driveshaft bolts.

Will be using a tranny jack for a diesel work truck while the x is on a lift...should make it easier to work with. If I attempt to remove the tranny and t-case as one unit, is it any more difficult to maneuver out from under the vehicle? The exhaust will be removed...so that should be no issue.

 

[Maniak]

Will be using a tranny jack for a diesel work truck while the x is on a lift...should make it easier to work with. If I attempt to remove the tranny and t-case as one unit, is it any more difficult to maneuver out from under the vehicle? The exhaust will be removed...so that should be no issue.

Other than it throws the CG way off making in awkward.. No..

I've pulled the trans out with the case before.. decided I wasn't going to do that again.. too much weight towards the back when we did that.

~Mark

 

[mcelwajy]

Just got to thinking about the fact that my supposed rear main oil leak is not making my oil level go down. What are the odds that the oil I'm seeing is filthy atf? At work now, but will def. Be checking the atf level ASAP.

 

[mcelwajy]

So ATF level was pretty low, filled it up and now I can't get it to leak. Will be putting the trailer back on in the morning to see if that makes it leak. If so...guess I'm still stuck replacing trans seals....bummer

 

[mcelwajy]

Ok...so everyone may think I'm an idiot...but you'll never guess what fixed the issue.

Before tearing into the job that is replacing a rear main, I looked into what may be causing the leak. I drove up the highway, I towed another load, I even let the car sit in gear up in the air on a lift and looked for a leak. Nothing...couldn't get it to leak at all.

So out of curiosity, which I should have actually done in the first place, I checked all of my fluids again. Everything was full and clean....except for the trans fluid; which I had expected to be low. So where did it go? I could find no leaks or anything??!!?!

Turns out, the viscous clutch on my radiator fan was bad; as well as my temp sensor. So I've been running my motor hot all this time. The extra heat seems to have caused the trans to overheat and for whatever reason spew trans fluid. Replaced the fan clutch, t-stat, and flushed the entire cooling system. Have since hauled two jet skis back and forth to the lake multiple times with no issues whatsoever.

Thanks to everyone who put in their two sense, I'm still in shock that not only was it not a rear main, but it wasn't the trans either. Weird.....

 

[safn1949]

Might want to get that tranny flushed after heating it up like that.