Rear main oil seal leak at 120k miles

Just a data point for others. Has anyone had a similar issue and what was your mileage?

At almost 120,000 miles, I found oil on my driveway. Looked for a leak and found it at the bell housing. Figured it to be the rear main seal as higher up was dry.

Due to timing, I had a shop repair it. Cost about $1100 in the Denver area. They confirmed and replaced the seal. Said it was leaking pretty good.

Will update on shop when I actually get back home and look at it.

This is the first non warranty/recall-covered maintenance issue I've had with the truck.

 

My rear main on my 2nd gen started leaking at about 100k miles. Ended up throwing in a new seal during a clutch replacement

 

Rear main seal at that mileage is unusual. Before you pay for that job, check and clean your PCV valve. A plugged PCV will push oil out of seals.

 

Usually if not a defective manufactured seal that was installed, the engine has been run with excessive rpm much of its life, or your crankshaft has excessive runout.

 

So basically all of these trucks trying to stay at the 80mph speed limit on the freeway?

 

If that's the only issue you've had in 120k you are doing well. I'd be keeping an eye on bearings, u joints, differentials, ball joints...

My work trucks all had/have? leaks at the rear main seal. Super common on chevys. My z28 did too. The only 100% problem free vehicle I owned was a 97 camry. Something about that gold-beige paint color makes them indestructible.

 

Don't feel bad, if it was a Jeep or a Chevy it would have started leaking at 120 miles

 

If it was a BMW it would have leaked with 1.2 miles on it

 

That's a lot of labor! Or high rates. Or both!

 

@Woodrow F Call
dealer or indy shop?

 

What oil do you use?

 

Independent..... I got several quotes.

 

Sorry for the late reply..... working a lot right now.

 

Mobil 0w-20

 

Thats a bummer and kind of unexpected.

What oil change interval do you normally do?

 

He told me every 259 miles...

 

Why so slow? Do we need to run faster to maintain seal longevity?

 

Welp, that will cause it every time, you gotta give the gasket a little more soak time.

 

Wait...maybe he told me every 29589 miles...

 

That'll cause it too, you know the mobil 1 is only good for 20K