Rear main seal?

[BigAl]

Ok gang. Not much of a car guy but I have this 1999 3.0 ranger that I use for commute to work. 155k. I had just replaced the fuel pump and fan clutch. The next day I have oil in the driveway. Never leaked oil before. Is this the rear main seal that’s leaking from?


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[BigAl]

I forgot to add that it only leaks when the truck is running. Once it stops it drips for a little while then stops but it’s quite a bit of oil.


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[RonD]

Can't see the oil leaking?

Blown Rear main seal will show oil leaking from inspection cover of bellhousing, so lower bell housing.
And yes it will only leak when oil pump is active, so with engine running

But so will oil filter and oil pressure switch
3.0l Oil pressure switch is on top rear of engine passenger side behind the head on the block, so would also show oil leaking from lower rear of engine by bellhousing

 

[adsm08]

I think I would unplug the oil pressure switch and look for oil in the connector before jumping at the rear main. Like Ron said, it is in a spot where it can look like the rear main is the problem, but that doesn't look real rear main ish to me.

 

[BigAl]

I think I would unplug the oil pressure switch and look for oil in the connector before jumping at the rear main. Like Ron said, it is in a spot where it can look like the rear main is the problem, but that doesn't look real rear main ish to me.

So if there is oil in the connector, what does that mean? Would that cause oil to leak from my engine also?


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[adsm08]

So if there is oil in the connector, what does that mean? Would that cause oil to leak from my engine also?


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Yes. It means the pressure diaphragm in the sensor is leaking. Since the connector is meant to hold electricity, not oil, that would make for an external oil leak, and given the placement of the sensor on that engine, it can run down and be seen near the bottom of the trans bell.

 

[BigAl]

Ok so I located and checked the press or sensor. It’s bone dry and the top of the bell housing is also dry. I ran it hard this morning and when I parked it was leaking pretty good. I’m assuming it’s safe to say it’s the real main seal?

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[adsm08]

Probably rear main at this point.

 

[RonD]

Yes, I would agree

If you have manual trans you may want to change clutch parts when changing rear main seal.

There is no "additive" fix for a pressure leak, and rear main is a pressure leak

 

[BigAl]

Thanks for the input guys. Took it to a trusted mechanic this afternoon. He said that’s most likely what it is. Gave me a price of 500-600, fair enough I guess. I don’t have the time or means to be doing that type of work myself.


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[cbxer55]

Funny thing about my 98. It leaks when it's not running. I can park it in a dry spot running, not a drop idling for 30 minutes. Shut it off, and it starts dripping. Not a whole lot, just a couple drips. I keep one of those metal drip pans in my garage, and I only have to wipe it once a year or so.

But never understood why it only drips when shut off, and not a drop when running? ODD! Oil pan gasket? I don't overfill it when I change the oil. Top of the hash marks on the dipstick (engine hot, checked after a few minutes shut down) . The leak is so little, I never need to add oil in 3000 miles. And that with near 153,000 miles showing.