Rear Main Seal Leak?!

[Geologist]

Today I discovered a leak between the engine and transmission. It's definitely motor oil. After a bit of research it seems like it might be a rear main seal leak. There's not much info about this for 4th gens, so any input would be helpful. After taking these photos I cleaned the area and ran a few errands. More oil accumulated during the errands than there was in the pictures below.

The leak is in the top center of this photo


Here's a closer look. I think this is the torque converter.


View from the back, with the oil pan in the background.

 

[Buckles]

Had mine replaced last January because of this.

 

[Geologist]

Had mine replaced last January because of this.

Thanks for the reply. Was it the main seal that you had to replace? or the torque converter? What did that cost you? Do you think this is something I need to address immediately or can it wait until after the holidays?

 

[Buckles]

Didn't cost me anything. My warranty covered it. It was in the shop to have the differential replaced and thru found the leak. Also had the valve cover gaskets and timing chain cover seal done too.

 

[swapmeet]

Bumping this up instead of starting a new thread. :angel:

07' V8 AWD, I have an almost identical leak to what the OP listed.

Anybody have any experience with this? Cost of repair etc?
I'm typically a DIY guy but consdiering everything that would have to come out to fix this, it seems a little overwhelming. (Center Dif, shafts, Trans etc)

Hope someone can chime in.

 

[swapmeet]

Buuuuuuhhhmp

 

[jamesewells]

I'm interested as well.

 

[GLP]

I have not found any other threads on a 4th gen V8 rear main seal leak, but there were a few on the V6. Here's one of them - $750 by an indy (kinda seems low), $2300 by dealer.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/137089-oil-leak.html

 

[scw1991]

Rear main seals are the worst. Nothing sucks worse than having to pull the transmission to replace a $25 lip seal.

At times, its tough to justify the cost to replace vs. the cost of topping off the oil every once in a while.

Out of curiosity, how many miles are on the odometer?

 

[swapmeet]

Rear main seals are the worst. Nothing sucks worse than having to pull the transmission to replace a $25 lip seal.

At times, it tough to justify the cost to replace vs. the cost of topping off the oil every once in a while.

Out of curiosity, how many miles are on the odometer?

120ki-sh

 

[swapmeet]

I tried cleaning my PCV valve (what I found to be an occasional cause for this issue) and it didn't help. The PCV valve didn't look dirty when I cleaned it so I wasn't holding my breath.

So i'm still looking for info on how much others have paid to replace the rear main in a 4x4.

Thanks!

 

[Ohcrymore]

I tried cleaning my PCV valve (what I found to be an occasional cause for this issue) and it didn't help. The PCV valve didn't look dirty when I cleaned it so I wasn't holding my breath.

So i'm still looking for info on how much others have paid to replace the rear main in a 4x4.

Thanks!

My local mechanic quoted me $922 for mine pre-tax

 

[swapmeet]

So right at 12k/mi later my rear main is leaking again. Shop that did it the first time is stepping up to fix it. But still concerning that it's happening again.

 

[sidneyhop]

So right at 12k/mi later my rear main is leaking again. Shop that did it the first time is stepping up to fix it. But still concerning that it's happening again.

thanks for the update

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Despite this being sorta necro posted, I will say that some places won't reseal the rear main retaining plate when they do the seal (usually because if it's not leaking, they don't want to bother with the cleaning & FIPG application), which I have seen leak before (though not usually, but I do it anyways because it only takes like 15 min to clean, goop it, and install it; don't need the come back, lol). I also have noticed (particularly on the 3UR-FE V8's) that it seems part of the reason they seep/leak, might be from sludge/crusty gunk forming around the crank shaft under the seal; I have had a few that had a noticeable ridge of varnish/crust that I had to chip off and then clean with brush. It's possible if that the seal was just slapped on without cleaning the crank shaft it'll just start leaking again (my best guess is probably due from a lot of idling, poor maintenance, and/or meh quality oil? )

One other thing to look for is whether or not the upper oil pan is leaking and making it seem like a rear main, you see it a little more on the 2GRs than the 1GR or 2UZ, but it does happen from time to time.

 

[Drcoffee]

Before paying a mechanic $1000 toss some AT-205 in the oil. Its works great on restoring seals like this. Also, use synthetic oil so crud doesnt build up on the rubber seal.

 

[Bassturd]

Mine leaks pretty bad after I sunk her in the river . I tried blue devil seal restorer and use mobile one high mileage and it still leaks. I’ll either be doing this project this summer or the damn brake booster.