Which manual to buy for rear main seal repair?

[fblainen11]

I need to replace my rear main seal. It's been leaking slowly and recently, possibly due to the cold, it has started leaking a little more. I'm going to start preparing to replacement and I want to know who has done this job.
Which manual do you think will provide better instructions for this replacement?

 

[Chuckles89]

I've never done one, but I have the Haynes manual and a PDF of the FSM. Using those two, you would most likely have some excellent instructions.

 

[ajonesnv]

I need to replace my rear main seal. It's been leaking slowly and recently, possibly due to the cold, it has started leaking a little more. I'm going to start preparing to replacement and I want to know who has done this job.
Which manual do you think will provide better instructions for this replacement?

You can see if this downloads for you: FSM

 

[turbo8]

Verify it's not your valve cover gaskets leaking from the back of the engine before you pull the transmission.

 

[LittleCaesar]

My sister-in-law had a 1996 Camry that had 200,000+ miles on it when it began to get a rear main seal leak. She wanted to keep driving it until she had paid off all her college loans. We used Maxlife in it and within half a year it was down to a couple of drips a month. Sold it to the garbage man for $500 in 2012.

I use it in my 4runner, it is a great oil and a less expensive attempt than replacing the rear main: Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage 10W30 Motor Oil 5 Quart - Walmart.com

Do check the valve cover gaskets first. Make sure to only use an OEM rear seal.

 

[fblainen11]

Verify it's not your valve cover gaskets leaking from the back of the engine before you pull the transmission.

Thanks. It isn't my VCG. It's the rear main seal. I changed VCG a few months ago when I did spark plugs....just for fun I guess. But they aren't leaking and weren't then.

 

[fblainen11]

My sister-in-law had a 1996 Camry that had 200,000+ miles on it when it began to get a rear main seal leak. She wanted to keep driving it until she had paid off all her college loans. We used Maxlife in it and within half a year it was down to a couple of drips a month. Sold it to the garbage man for $500 in 2012.

I use it in my 4runner, it is a great oil and a less expensive attempt than replacing the rear main: Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage 10W30 Motor Oil 5 Quart - Walmart.com

Do check the valve cover gaskets first. Make sure to only use an OEM rear seal.

I'd rather continue using Pennzoil Platinum. Don't really want to use a high mileage oil. I'd rather keep adding synthetic to a leaking gasket until I can fix it then risk anything happening to perfectly functioning gaskets and start causing a leak.

 

[amalik]

I'd rather continue using Pennzoil Platinum. Don't really want to use a high mileage oil. I'd rather keep adding synthetic to a leaking gasket until I can fix it then risk anything happening to perfectly functioning gaskets and start causing a leak.

The Valvoline MaxLife oil is synthetic. Check out the Walmart link.

[MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION], is the 10W-30 OK when our engine calls for 5W-30?

 

[fblainen11]

5w-30

 

[LittleCaesar]

It is semi synthetic, Maxlife in the red jug that is. I think the 5w-30 grade is now Dexos approved.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for fixing it correctly. Just giving my .02 cents if other options were needed.

Living in the Southeastern US my 4runner has received nothing but 10w-30 its whole life. And that is including oil changes at the dealer from day one. I'd have no problems running 10w-30 in any 4runner in any state.

 

[snivilous]

I've done my rear main seal, and then ended up pulling the tranny again soon after because my torque converter took a shit. I have a Haynes and a FSM on my computer if something gets really tricky. The Haynes should be fine as I recall, and you can get the FSM online.

It's pretty straight forward, drop the tranny and there's a cover, pop it and put the new seal in. The second time I pulled everything apart I didn't use the manual for anything, just lots of unbolting really.