Oil leak: rear main seal

[chinx_4eva]

Hey guys,

i've got a dilema on a vehile that has an oil leak in the rear main seal, was told by a mechanic that, that was the case.
The car is going to be driven from sydney to melbourne which is quite a long drive, what are the dangers am I going to face and would it be a major concern for the trip?
i've done a bit of research on it and it seems that it cost quite a bit due to the labour work.
I've got friends who are mechanics that'll work on it for me for a low price down here in Melbourne so its in my best interest to get it back here.

any help would be appreciated! thanks!

(its an old honda civic just to put it out)

[grifty]

is it leaking a fair bit? it should be right for the trip as long as you carry some extra oil with you.

[Bludger]

If you're topping up your oil everyday then no.

If you're only topping up every week then you'll make it, just carry extra oil with you.

[AE092]

It's labour intensive as the gearbox has to come off to get to get to the rear main seal, that's why if you're going to do a clutch/flywheel change then you may as well do the RMS as while the components are out.

[rotary_snail]

Whenever you do a rear main, make sure you check the clutch plate for contamination. Oil = dead clutch.

Other than that note. Just keep an eye on oil level and the pressure, you should be fine. =D

[dsp26]

As ae092 said. May as well wait it out and get clutch/flywheel done at same time if its a slow leak.

Your looking at minimum $350 in labour cost just for gearbox off.

The main seal is on the engine side behind flywheel. $20 part from honda dealership

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[dsp26]

Also this rarely gets changed or looked at by your average mechs... You have to tell them to change it when you get gb work done. May as well for $20.

Same reason you get your waterpump done for the sake of it when you change timing belt... and tensioner too... But at least this area is widely acknowledged and comes in a kit together

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[AE092]

Also this rarely gets changed or looked at by your average mechs... You have to tell them to change it when you get gb work done. May as well for $20.

Same reason you get your waterpump done for the sake of it when you change timing belt... and tensioner too... But at least this area is widely acknowledged and comes in a kit together

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Pretty much exactly what I did; changed water pump and tensioner (and all the ancillary belts) when I had the new Timing Belt go on.

Oh yeh, I've driven interstate (ADL) with near dead valve stem seals, it chewed through 2L of oil but a refill half way and it was good to go, kinda lol