Oil leak help needed

[Morphyne]

So I just found what looks like an oil leak on the lip of the transmission where it makes to the engine. It's not dripping yet and I'm not really losing a lot of oil. Am I looking at a rear main seal? Any thoughts on how to address this issue?

 

[firebirdguy]

that is usually where a rear main leak will show up but check above it for signs of a leak from somewhere else too. oil leaks can trickle down from other places & collect there too.

if it is indeed a bad rear main seal but the leak is not bad you can try a high mileage oil like valvoline maxlife or other brand, they will usually help a small leak or seepage. & they do not swell the seals or cause them to harden etc as some may think. there are also some good additives you can try that help with minor leaks but i would try a HM oil first. also check the PCV valve isnt clogged creating excess pressure in the crank case.

 

[importman]

Like firebird guy said, look above the area where you see the oil. If there's nothing above it it's probably the rear main. If there's not a plug in the bottom of the bell housing you should be able to remove the dust shield on the lower front of the tranny and if there's oil inside the bell housing it's almost definitely gonna be the rear main.

 

[Morphyne]

Good news! You guys were right. It was leaking valve cover. And that reminded me that these V8s can let their valve cover bolts get loose. All of them needed tightened.