I have a major oil leak from the vicinity of my oil pan and have been suggested that it could be one of two things. The oil pan gasket or the rear main seal. As the engine heats up the oil drips out faster eventually lowering my oil pressure. With the vehicle off and cool it does not leak at all.

I am pretty certain it is the rear main seal and I need specifics of how to tackle replacing this. Can you help?

Thanks!

 

Pull the transmission & flexplate and pry the seal out. Tap a new one in & reinstall the trans.

For more details, read the Haynes manual or look it up at this link.

 

well what steve said just about sums it up. i would climb under and take of the inspection plate on the front of the bell housing and take a good look inside to see if it is dry or not. if it is dry or fairly dry of oil i would get some spray carb cleaner and clean up the oil pan area in the rear and make absolutly sure that it is not the oil pan gasket. they are known to leak.oil pan gasket is no pleasure to do either but you dont have to remove the trans to do it. i also thought that my rear main was leaking but it was the oil pan gasket.just be sure so you only do it once.

 

Hi, one thing to do is give the whole engine and trans a super cleaning. When dry, blow or puff baby powder on it. It will show oil or coolent leaks immediately.
No matter what, although some have done a oil pan gasket change with the engine in. I would pull the engine, and do a gasket replacement all over it. If it is the rear seal, same thing. It is also a good idea to replace the front seal too.
OIl leaks can also come down from the pcv valve plumbing, the valve covers...
Bruce (Big Red Bronco)