that rear seal!

[IgotTwo]

I have 94 XLT manual with 78K
I have an annoying oil leak - looks like its between trans and block. It doesn't look like valve cover gaskets.
It's not bad now, but something tells me I better have a plan to fix it.

I have looked at past posts.
-There was mention of an additive to moisten the seal?
I assume an oil additive? Anyone run across it or know of it? or wishful thinking.

-I think I heard to stick Ford's seal and while I'm there to reface the flywheel. Aside from clutch lining, anyone have any other goodies to check out or just flat out replace while its apart?

-Also, I think I'm OK with pulling the tranny and to the flywheel. But are there any tricks or tips on removing and installing the new seal? or is it pretty straight foward? special tools needed to get it out?

Not looking forward to skinned knuckles and I'm sure no one likes to take the tools out twice.
Any adds, thoughts or "watch out fors" would be appreciated.

 

[CHH777]

I thought my main rear seal was leaking too. Turned out it was my intake manifold gasket and oil pressure sending unit.

If it does need replacement just thread a couple sheet metal screws into it (not too far!) to pry it out.

 

[IgotTwo]

Good suggestion and thanks:

but I gotta ask a dumb question: Where is that oil sending unit. I looked for it and if it had teeth it probably would bite me.

Help me with your intake manifold leak? I'm puzzled how that was part of the oil leak?
???? maybe a valve cover gasket ???

 

[Pendarus]

I had the same problem. Turned out to be the lower intake manifold gasket leaking and looking like a main seal leak. It was covered by my extended warranty. The Ford service shop did it for $1750.00 plus the truck was in the shop for 10 days (they damaged the first new gasket and had to order a new set, that took 5 days). I only had to pay my $50.00 deductable. So check your #5 plug. I've been told if it has oil on it, you need a new manifold gasket.

 

[IgotTwo]

sounds like I'd be better off if it WAS the mains seal!!
.. mirror and flashlight are ready to go.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[CHH777]

Pendarus,

$1750 to replace a lower intake gasket ?!? Damn, what's the hourly labor rate at your Ford dealership?



IgotTwo,

The oil pressure sending unit is on the front driver's side of engine (it has a wire attached to it).

 

[Pendarus]

Acording to the service manager, it took 2 full days to locate the leak, and 2 full days to tear down the motor to the heads replace the gaskets and reinstall everything. This price includes rental car for 10 days, at $25.00 a day plus damage waver. That was 6 months ago. Lately the truck has started drinking a quart of oil every 4-5 weeks. So soon back to the dealer it goes!

 

[IgotTwo]

CHH777
Thanks, I know it had to be right in front of me.
Maybe, I was thinking it couldn't be that easy.

 

[IgotTwo]

Still trying to track that oil leak
I finally got under that thing and cleaned any and all oil in sight from the rear of the block to the trans with a little shot of brake clean and a rag. I let it run for a while. Couldn't see anything. Sending unit, valve cover, 5# plug and intake manifold suggestions..... checked them all...seemed to be OK . I'm going to check it again, after I run it for a day. I know its not 90W

My 94 has a manual:
Q: If the engine main seal was leaking, I think my clutch and pressure plate would be drenched and would be showing symptoms. Yes?


side note: Aren't those exhaust pipe shields a pain!! They brake loose and start rattling. While I was under there I got the one on the cross pipe under the trans! I just keep ripping them off! I'm waiting for something to start cooking.

 

[Brian1]

Let me know what you find. Mine is also leaking oil between the manual tranny and block. It only leaks after it has been running for a while.

 

[Chris Jella']

Mines got the "rear main" leak too. Not enough to leak to the ground or make any noticable difference on the dipstick between changes, just a few drops hanging between the engine and tranny. I have run my hand all along the backside of the engine to see if its the manifold gasket, but no sign of leak. It drives me nuts, but untill/if it ever gets worse (hasn't in 35,000) I guess I'll look harder!

 

[IgotTwo]

It does drive you nuts...like in a dripping facet.
Oil Lose - Me too... not losing any large amounts of oil

After taking a good look under there...you have to take out this.... and this.... and then this..... and this too.......pulling the tranny would not be my first choice.
and I'm sure that exhaust cross pipe has to come out!!!

Investing in cardboard for the garage floor is looking very appealing. But I know I'll fix it.

 

[Brian1]

Originally posted by IgotTwo
Investing in cardboard for the garage floor is looking very appealing. But I know I'll fix it.

LOL! That is exactly what I do. I have gone through 1 piece of huge cardboard. I am on my second now and it is starting to get really oil soaked. Go to a furniture store and see if they have any cardboard. That is where I got mine.

 

[IgotTwo]

Furnture Store!!!!!
Just walk around the block on cardboard recycling day. You can get your pick of colors too.

 

[Goober]

OK, I finally found what it is that I used, but I just put it in a few days ago, so I cannot say if it works yet or not. I was told by a very good mechanic(whom I know well) that it works if the seal isn't too far gone. It ran me about $6. Also, if you do a search look under CRC / Siloo and you'll find many large companies and shops use these products and they have been open over 40 years. Still, I don't know if it works, but $6 before spending $1000 to replace a seal is worth it to me. Website has a distributor list.

Dead Link RemovedProduct Name: CRC ENGINSEAL™
Product Description: •Helps stop oil leaks in main bearing seals and other engine oil seals •Restores elasticity and compensates for shrinkage of seals •Improves seal-to-metal contact

@ http://www.crcindustries.com/

 

[IgotTwo]

I went on a search and destroy mission for CRC EngineSeal... could not find it, but i got the "same" stuff by GUNK. Directions say change the oil and filter then dump it in.
After 48 hours what ever it is going to do will be done.
Keeping the thread open, I think there are lotta of onlookers on this one. Oil change scheduled for this weekend..... will advise

 

[Airpwr73]

argghhh!

Looks like I'll be searching for that magical CRC leak stop myself. I finished my rebuild and a day after installing the engine, I noticed the "leak". It's really frustrating to find after all the time I put into rebuilding it. Not sure why it's leaking, but after my move to Charleston in a couple weeks, I'm pulling the tranny out again to search for the answer. But until then, it'll wait. Only showing a few drops between the tranny and oil pan at this time. Other than that, my rebuild went really well. Fired right up and sounded great!!
John

 

[IgotTwo]

Today, I changed the oil and filter as directed and put the stuff in. I drove it around for about 20 minutes.

They said to check it in 48 hours (why they didn't say a two days is beyond me) I didn't mark the exact time ...late Monday or Tuesday should be close enough.

After I drove it around, it did have a distinctive smell.
(fingers crossed)

 

[IgotTwo]

Well, its more than two days but after letting the engine seal try to do its thing, I still have oil around the bell housing. I'm not sure if it has slowed down.
Maybe I can keep a closer watch on the garage floor oil spots.

Hey.... next time I change the oil, I'll put it in again and see if twice is the charm.

 

[IgotTwo]

leak update

Awhile back, I put that engine additive in for my rear seal oil leak:

I have avoided looking under my 94 for some time. Why aggrevaite myself with an oil leak laughing at me all the time.

But.... I noticed that there have not been any new oil spots in the garage. So I took a peek. Low and behold!! I think the stuff worked! I do have a trace of oil but no where near what I had before.
The directions said "wait 48 hours"... (maybe it said days?.... or should say days)

It seems to have done something good!

FYI -My 94 has 78K on it.