Rear Main Seal
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2008
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Rear Main Seal
Probably the three words that nobody wants to hear....Rear Main Seal...
Ok well, I have a 1984 Ford F250 4x4 w/ 460 and it has an extremely small leak in the rear main seal. I know that these things are cheap but they are a b#@$% to replace. Has anyone ever replaced one on a 4-wheel drive vehicle? Do I need to drop the transfer case and transmission?
How much would a mechanic charge for something like this?
BTW, I really appreciate all the help that comes from you guys on the forum! This is definitely the best website out there!!!
Ok well, I have a 1984 Ford F250 4x4 w/ 460 and it has an extremely small leak in the rear main seal. I know that these things are cheap but they are a b#@$% to replace. Has anyone ever replaced one on a 4-wheel drive vehicle? Do I need to drop the transfer case and transmission?
How much would a mechanic charge for something like this?
BTW, I really appreciate all the help that comes from you guys on the forum! This is definitely the best website out there!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
Your left leg and your 1st born son! I was quoted $950 when my rear main went out on my F-250.
You don't need to drop the tranny or transfer case, but you will need to jack up the engine enough to drop the oil pan, loosen the main caps and fish out the 2 piece seal that's in there. With all the work you need to do, you might want to seriously consider just pulling the engine out and doing the work on an engine stand.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I can't guarantee that this will work for you, but it worked for me. Back in the early 80's I had a 68 F100 with a 360 that had a front and rear main seal leak, and I couldn't afford to fix it right. A friend told me to put a pint of brake fluid in the motor oil. I was very skepticle, but I did it and it completely stopped the leak. I drove the truck for several year afterwards, always adding a pint of brake fluid at each oil change. It never leaked again for as long as I drove it.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
I can't guarantee that this will work for you, but it worked for me. Back in the early 80's I had a 68 F100 with a 360 that had a front and rear main seal leak, and I couldn't afford to fix it right. A friend told me to put a pint of brake fluid in the motor oil. I was very skepticle, but I did it and it completely stopped the leak. I drove the truck for several year afterwards, always adding a pint of brake fluid at each oil change. It never leaked again for as long as I drove it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 203
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no offense, but that brake fluid idea is probably one of the worst ideas i have ever heard of. every piece of rubber that the brake fluid comes in contact with will swell, and i just cannot see it being good for the lubrication of the engine. however, i can understand on a beater or something that doesnt get driven everyday, but for an everyday driver not a good idea.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 113
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From: Texas
You're right about the rubber swelling. That's what stops the leaks, it swells the seals. Yes, it was a beater, but it still worked for several years.
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Senior User
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I most certainly believe you that it will work and did for you. I would probably do it also if it came down to doing a rear main seal in beater truck. I was by no means knocking you for doing it, believe me. It is probably brake fluid that is inside the those "engine rebuild in a can" gimmicks lol.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I believe it on the brake fluid trick. A lot of people don't know it but the active ingredient in most stop leak additives is basically brake fluid. It works and it doesn't seem to hurt anything. I have used black pepper to seal leaky radiators and small headgasket leaks. A couple old timer tricks that work!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Probably the three words that nobody wants to hear....Rear Main Seal...
Ok well, I have a 1984 Ford F250 4x4 w/ 460 and it has an extremely small leak in the rear main seal. I know that these things are cheap but they are a b#@$% to replace. Has anyone ever replaced one on a 4-wheel drive vehicle? Do I need to drop the transfer case and transmission?
How much would a mechanic charge for something like this?
BTW, I really appreciate all the help that comes from you guys on the forum! This is definitely the best website out there!!!
Ok well, I have a 1984 Ford F250 4x4 w/ 460 and it has an extremely small leak in the rear main seal. I know that these things are cheap but they are a b#@$% to replace. Has anyone ever replaced one on a 4-wheel drive vehicle? Do I need to drop the transfer case and transmission?
How much would a mechanic charge for something like this?
BTW, I really appreciate all the help that comes from you guys on the forum! This is definitely the best website out there!!!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
What will get you really upset, is after you replace the rear main, you still have the leak. There are many places that leak on the engine, and they look just like the rear main. A valve cover gasket leak, rear seal on the intake, oil pressure sensor on the rear of the engine, all look like rear main leaks when they run down behind the engine.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
What will get you really upset, is after you replace the rear main, you still have the leak. There are many places that leak on the engine, and they look just like the rear main. A valve cover gasket leak, rear seal on the intake, oil pressure sensor on the rear of the engine, all look like rear main leaks when they run down behind the engine.
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