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is it worth fixing a rear main seal

by Abigale Conroy Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Although getting your rear main seal replaced is crucial to fixing your car, you can drive with your seal malfunctioning. However, the oil will consistently leak out of your car, and you will need to top up the oil much more often than if the seal had an air-tight fit.

Replacing a rear main seal can be so expensive the cost to replace it may be more than you have to spend, or even more than your vehicle is worth. When faced with a high dollar repair on an older vehicle it can be difficult to decide if it's worth dumping more money into an older vehicle that doesn't have much value.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to replace rear main seal?

 · The average cost for a rear main seal replacement is between $248 and $313. Labor costs are estimated between $227 and $288 while parts are priced between $21 and $25. Estimate does not include taxes and fees. Beside above, how long does it take to fix a rear main seal leak? it's supposedly an 8 hours job.

How much does a rear main seal cost?

A little leak and checking the oil level you should be fine for a 500 mile trip,a rear main seal is a expensive repair depending on the vehicle,you can remove the transmission to get access to the one piece seal or the entire engine has to be removed and the engine partially disassembled,

How to change your rear main seal?

Rear main seal replacements are the worst. The part itself is super cheap but the labor to get to it is no fun. That is why it costs so much. Average "flag hours" for a job like this is 6-8+ hours because the transmission needs to come out. Say, the shop rate is $100/hour, you are looking at $600-$800 just in labor for a $25-$30 part.

Does Blue Devil rear main sealer really work?

 · It’s a very important seal since it is so low on the engine a significant amount of oil can quickly leak from it, allowing your engine oil levels to get dangerously low before you have time to add more oil. That’s why, if yours is faulty, a rear main seal leak fix …

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How much does it cost to repair rear main seal?

Even though the parts won't cost more than $100, the cost of labor is what makes the rear main seal repair very expensive. Mechanics will charge between $500 and $1800 for the labor alone, with the average total cost of repair being $1100.

What happens if you don't fix rear main seal?

If the seal tears or cracks at all your crankshaft rotation can cause the seal to get torn up very quickly causing a very fast leak. A fast leak can lower your engine oil level to dangerous levels very quickly and dangerously low oil levels can lead to permanent engine damage.

Can you drive with a leaky rear main seal?

Can You Drive With A Rear Main Seal Leak? Those who drive their vehicles with a rear main seal leak should take precautions due to its possibility that something very fast could happen. You can damage your engine permanently if your oil level becomes extremely low quickly when it is leaked.

Does Rear Main Seal Repair work?

Yes. Even though it is specially designed to seal rear main leaks, it also works better than a conventional stop leak on all other engine oil leaks. This includes the timing cover seal, cam seals, O-rings and other seals and gaskets.

How many hours does it take to replace a rear main seal?

Replacing a Rear Main Seal However, the process to get to the rear main seal to replace it often requires removal of the entire engine and transmission from the vehicle, a job that can only be done by very skilled mechanics and even then can take 6-10 hours!

Can you replace rear main seal without removing engine?

It is certainly possible to replace your rear main seal yourself, without removing the transmission, if you have some knowledge of cars, understand your engine, and have the tools. It is usually professional to perform this type of procedure.

How long will a leaking rear main seal last?

Most leaks will stop within 100 miles or 2 days of driving. To prevent future leaks and for outstanding preventive maintenance, install Rear Main Seal Repair every 5,000 miles or with every oil change.

Is a small rear main seal leak serious?

Rear main seal leaks are so dangerous because it is possible for the leak to occur at a very fast rate. Due to the location, it is subject to high oil pressure. It is also connected to the engine, which must be slick with oil to function properly.

How do you stop a rear main seal from leaking?

0:051:19How to Install BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow Blue Devil rear main seal er is guaranteed to restore dried shrunken. And crack seals to theirMoreNow Blue Devil rear main seal er is guaranteed to restore dried shrunken. And crack seals to their original condition. While you drive now it works in both gas. And diesel engines.

Can Oil Stop Leak damage my engine?

Some old-fashioned oil stop leaks were not good for engines. Modern technology has caused the creation of better formulas, so today's products should work just fine. However, if you use the wrong oil stop leak, it can cause engine damage, so make sure to do your research and choose the proper additive.

Is BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer safe?

Is Blue Devil Bad for Your Engine? The answer is a resounding no. And if you are wondering about the safety of using other brands of rear main seal conditioners and stop-leak products like Bar's Leak or Justice Brothers, don't worry. They almost all use the same active ingredient.

Can BlueDevil damage your car?

No. BlueDevil products, specifically the head gasket sealer does not ruin your car's engine. It does not contain particulate matter that clogs and causes damages to tubes.

Can you replace a rear main seal?

In light of all, you should always watch out for rear main seal leak symptoms and act fast as soon as you notice a leak from that location. Unless you’re a gearhead, replacing a rear main seal may be a difficult task. In as much as the process is difficult, it does not make it impossible.

Why is my rear main seal failing?

The primary cause of the rear main seal failure is rupture inside the engine or on a component connected to the engine. For many car owners, such news could cause a bad day because the rear main seal replacement is one of the expensive, most labor-intensive, and most-dreaded repair jobs to do on your vehicle.

Where is the main seal on a car?

The rear main seal is found at the back of the engine between the engine and the transmission, which seals the crankshaft’s back end from leaking. It is an expensive fix because, most times, it requires removing the transmission or dismantling the engine.

What is the seal on a crankshaft?

The rear crankshaft seal is usually made of silicone or rubber. The seal wears out over time as a result of corrosion from road salt, crankshaft rotational forces, and other environmental factors. Driving with a rear main seal leak can be very dangerous and can lead to total engine failure.

How to tell if crankshaft seal is leaking?

Just like every other mechanical component, some signs and symptoms will pop up to notify the driver of a defective or leaking rear crankshaft seal. Oil puddles: The most common sign of a rear crankshaft seal is oil puddles on the garage floor or the driveway.

What causes a rear main seal to leak?

What causes rear main seal leak? Many factors can cause the rear main seal to leak. Let’s briefly look at the factors that can deform or deteriorate the rear crankshaft seal. Engine oil condition: One of the factors that can cause the rear crankshaft seal to leak is using the wrong type of engine oil or low oil level.

Why does my engine seal deteriorate?

It is no news that engine seals deteriorate over a long period of use due to oil acidity, heat, and several other related issues, usually due to lack of maintenance . In such a case, the rear main seal stop leak is needed to recondition the seal and work for a few thousand miles.

What happens if you fix a rear main seal?

A rear main seal that requires fixing will leave oil stains under a parked vehicle. Your vehicle may also demonstrate a dramatic loss of oil in a short period of time.

How much does it cost to replace a rear main seal?

The actual seal that is broken is often a relatively low-cost part, often under $50 dollars but sometimes as low as $15.

What is the main seal on a car?

Your rear main seal is one of the most important seals on your vehicle’s engine. The rear main seal is the rear seal for the crankshaft in your engine. It’s a very important seal since it is so low on the engine a significant amount of oil can quickly leak from it, allowing your engine oil levels to get dangerously low before you have time ...

Are Oil Stop Leak Products A Scam Or Do They Really Work?

If you’ve looked around a bit already, or checked some of the Amazon reviews, I’m sure you can see the huge difference in feedback.

Average Rear Main Seal Repair Cost – To Have A Mechanic Replace Rear Main Seal

The average cost to repair a leaky rear main seal, is anywhere from $800 – $1,200 dollars.

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1.Rear Main Seal Replacement Cost – Is It Worth The Price?

Url:https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/rear-main-seal-replacement-cost/

34 hours ago  · The average cost for a rear main seal replacement is between $248 and $313. Labor costs are estimated between $227 and $288 while parts are priced between $21 and $25. Estimate does not include taxes and fees. Beside above, how long does it take to fix a rear main seal leak? it's supposedly an 8 hours job.

2.Is it worth it to replace a rear main seal on a car with …

Url:https://www.quora.com/Is-it-worth-it-to-replace-a-rear-main-seal-on-a-car-with-300k-miles

30 hours ago A little leak and checking the oil level you should be fine for a 500 mile trip,a rear main seal is a expensive repair depending on the vehicle,you can remove the transmission to get access to the one piece seal or the entire engine has to be removed and the engine partially disassembled,

3.Rear Main Seal Leak Symptoms: Causes and …

Url:https://rxmechanic.com/rear-main-seal-leak-symptoms/

3 hours ago Rear main seal replacements are the worst. The part itself is super cheap but the labor to get to it is no fun. That is why it costs so much. Average "flag hours" for a job like this is 6-8+ hours because the transmission needs to come out. Say, the shop rate is $100/hour, you are looking at $600-$800 just in labor for a $25-$30 part.

4.Rear main seal repair worth the cost? : MechanicAdvice

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/hshqkc/rear_main_seal_repair_worth_the_cost/

33 hours ago  · It’s a very important seal since it is so low on the engine a significant amount of oil can quickly leak from it, allowing your engine oil levels to get dangerously low before you have time to add more oil. That’s why, if yours is faulty, a rear main seal leak fix …

5.How to Fix a Rear Main Seal Leak in One Easy Step

Url:https://gobdp.com/blog/rear-main-seal-leak-fix/

20 hours ago  · It's either the rear main seal leaking, or the valve cover seal dripping down. And I know that it's not worth a whole lot of money, but it runs and I don't owe any money on it. It's turned into one of those things where I replace things as they go on it, and this just happens to be one that I can't replace myself. Save Reply chadzx11 Registered

6.The 2 Best Rear Main Seal Stop Leak Products (that can …

Url:https://cleverleverage.com/rear-main-seal-stop-leak/

12 hours ago  · Since your clutch and tranny was done recently... You did the most major parts. That $600 rear seal replacement could save you an engine rebuild down the road. Example... 2 years ago my mechanic said "your rear suspension bushings are worn... order good quality $150 online, bring em here and I'll press them in for $300...

7.Videos of Is it Worth Fixing a Rear Main Seal

Url:/videos/search?q=is+it+worth+fixing+a+rear+main+seal&qpvt=is+it+worth+fixing+a+rear+main+seal&FORM=VDRE

16 hours ago  · Average Rear Main Seal Repair Cost – To Have A Mechanic Replace Rear Main Seal The average cost to repair a leaky rear main seal, is anywhere from $800 – $1,200 dollars. Some people are getting quotes of up to $2,500 dollars on some vehicles, which is way to expensive for what I was trying to do…

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