My 95 E150 with the 5.0 liter V8 is leaking oil. The guy that changed my oil said it's either coming from the valve cover gaskets or the main seal. For somebody not too mechanically inclined how difficult would it be to replace the gaskets? I did it once on a different vehicle but it was a regular car with large under-the-hood access.

What is involved in the rear engine seal replacement? Does anybody know the labor time for that and roughly what it should cost for a mechanic to do it? Thanks.

 

Bump. Anyone?

 

You could wait more than 12 hours to bump, some of us do not live on this forum.

To replace the rear main seal on a 302 or 351W, the tranny needs to be removed to access the seal.

In Most cases, it's not the rear main seal, but from the valve covers, or the PVC port, on the right rear of the valve cover, both these engines 'lean back' and the oil will work it way out the rear of the valve cover, run down the rear of the engine, and "look" like a rear seal leak, if the starter is covered with oil, it's more likely the valve cover leaking.

I've solved an oil leak with just replacing the PVC grommet, should be Dorman Part Number: 42049 $2.99

If it's the valve covers, that's quite the process to remove the plenum and a whole lot of the upper engine to get to the valve covers.
If you go that far, make sure you get the rubber with steel reinforcement for the gasket.

 

I removed the doghouse and looked around. While the valve covers are indeed seeping a little the main source of the leak appears to be in the rear by where the engine meets the transmission. Also the oil drain plug decided to spring a leak too. Not good. It would probably be best to have a mechanic just remove the whole engine from the front and replace everything. I can't even imagine what that would cost.

 

Depending on the type and degree of seal damage, there is a product that gave me good results. It's called AT-205 and it's a liquid seal restorer that you add to the oil. It's chemical makeup is very different from similar products as it's based on a poly-alcohol. It works to restore the supple property of the seal, not swell it as the petroleum products do. Amazon has it for about $13.00.

 

Good to know this