Rear Main Oil Seal

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Larryjb

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I could beat ya to the start, but I do work slowly so you may finish before me!
 

Crcz71

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Been trying to figure my leak out as well. About a year ago I did the oil pan gasket and oil cooler block off cause I had a substantial leak and it appeared to be the culprit. Now I have a leak that’s been on going and about every two to three weeks I’m adding a quart. Here’s a couple pic of anyone could possibly confirm it is the rear main. It’s much worse than in the pics I was changing my oil and sprayed everything down with brake cleaner. By the time I was done changing oil you can see what had started dripping again.
205CA71E-43FE-4816-82CC-5C39047DD2D5.jpeg 1C750238-E252-4B5B-9D9A-A1EB81831A0E.jpeg E1E6AA52-2A70-441E-A760-EAB17C50EC94.jpeg 28F169D6-71E8-4CAF-90A2-9D656DEE7A82.jpeg 205CA71E-43FE-4816-82CC-5C39047DD2D5.jpeg 1C750238-E252-4B5B-9D9A-A1EB81831A0E.jpeg E1E6AA52-2A70-441E-A760-EAB17C50EC94.jpeg 28F169D6-71E8-4CAF-90A2-9D656DEE7A82.jpeg 205CA71E-43FE-4816-82CC-5C39047DD2D5.jpeg 205CA71E-43FE-4816-82CC-5C39047DD2D5.jpeg 1C750238-E252-4B5B-9D9A-A1EB81831A0E.jpeg E1E6AA52-2A70-441E-A760-EAB17C50EC94.jpeg 28F169D6-71E8-4CAF-90A2-9D656DEE7A82.jpeg
 
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Larryjb

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The problem with distinguishing between the rear main, oil pan seal, or other leaks from the back of the engine, is that the oil pan makes a lip that juts out pas the rear of the block. Anything leaking there, whether it be the rear main, rear cover, oil pressure sensor, camshaft sensor, or even the oil pan gasket itself, will hit the lip, run sideways and drip from the same place. At least, this is what I have concluded. I tried looking directly at the rear main and it's really tough to see. Perhaps if you use a dye you might be able to see it. In my case, I already replaced the oil pressure and camshaft sensor gaskets, and the oil pan gasket. That seems to leave just one seal for me.

But, I for one, would not be able to conclude anything for you from the pictures.
 

Crcz71

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I appreciate it. I was careful when replacing the oil pan gasket doesn’t mean something wasn’t right. I did manage to check the cam sensor and oil pressure sensor everything up top looks good. I did check the bolts at the rear of the oil pan to make sure they were tight along with the block off plate.
 
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Larryjb

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I assume you used a torque wrench for the pan bolts.
 

Crcz71

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No reason being last time I used one on aluminum parts they broke so I was skiddish
 
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Larryjb

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I stripped threads because I didn't use a torque wrench. If you broke something using a torque wrench, either it was faulty, you accidently set it to ft-lbs for a in-lb spec, or the part was faulty.
 

Crcz71

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I agree I was helping a friend he set it and it was his so you’re probably right.
 
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Larryjb

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Garage cleared, Tahoe parked, getting ready for rear main.

I've got a checklist plan which I will update with bolt sizes, possibly tools. I do this so I don't forget something critical, but I'll post it in the end for the benefit of other newbie's. Sorry, no video, hooking up a video cam will take up too much time. Besides, I do find it easier to follow things on paper. Yes, I'm getting old enough to be called old fashioned. (I actually know how to handwrite, not just print.)
 

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