I have recently installed a built motor in my car. I was going through the break in process and it was running great since Tuesday, October 21st. Unfortunately, I was leaving work the other day and I noticed two small drip stains on the pavement. Once I got home, I check it out and the whole cross member with the motor mount is covered in oil. I check the normal items - oil line to turbo, oil return to pan, etc and everything is dry. I take the boot out of the transmission where the clutch fork is and the rear of the boot is covered in oil. Also, while the car is running there is a small droplets of oil dripping from the crossmember.

I took it to my mechanic today who I worked with during the install and he said the front and back of the engine is dry (no head gasket leak, oil sending unit leak, etc). He believes that the main seal by the transmission is leaking as these are the usual characteristics (a constant flow of oil would mean that we forget to plug something but this is a gradual leak). This was replaced when the engine was rebuilt so that's why it is a bit of a bummer. I don't want to say it definitely is the main seal until we drop the transmission next Wednesday and take a look. I definitely won't be driving the car as I don't want all that oil on my new clutch (CM Stage 4).

I'll keep you guys posted as to my results.
Kurt

Yeah it sucks, but at least you won't have to pull the head off and get a new HG. (if it is the front main seal)

yeah but pulling the tranny is biotch.

at least with mine because my motor mounts keep my engine up. 1 motor mount will hold up the entire engine in its perfect place.. its hard to push the motor down to slide the tranny out.
James

I agree it will be difficult but I will not be doing the work as I can't take any more vacation days from work. I will leave this job for my mechanic. It would definitely suck if it turns out to be a seal that was replaced during the engine rebuild.

--Kurt

Dont forget to check the oil gallery freeze plug, it is behind that metal flashing piece, behind the clutch. For some reason, those stupid things like to leak. Its either that or your rear main seal. Check to be sure the front face of the main seal is flush with the block, and not in too far..that can cause a leak.

Hey Matt, is that freeze plug the little silver plug to the directly to the left of the oil sending unit (when looking at the block from behind)?

I took the access panel off of the transmission today and a good amount of oil came out. The inside of the bell housing is loaded with oil, however, the back of the flex plate is very dry. I would think if it was a rear main seal that there would be some oil on the flex plate. What do you think?

I hope my new clutch is not coated in oil. I really don't want to ruin it as it is brand new. I only put 70 miles on the car since the rebuild.


BTW, good job on the downpipe for HRC cars. It looks really nice and I would have bought one if my mechanic didn't already make me a two piece downpipe by welding a stainless steel flange on stock pipe on the HRC pipe (I'll have pictures soon).


Thanks,
Kurt

Originally posted by KTECLIPSE
Hey Matt, is that freeze plug the little silver plug to the directly to the left of the oil sending unit (when looking at the block from behind)? I took the access panel off of the transmission today and a good amount of oil came out. The inside of the bell housing is loaded with oil, however, the back of the flex plate is very dry. I would think if it was a rear main seal that there would be some oil on the flex plate. What do you think? I hope my new clutch is not coated in oil. I really don't want to ruin it as it is brand new. I only put 70 miles on the car since the rebuild. BTW, good job on the downpipe for HRC cars. It looks really nice and I would have bought one if my mechanic didn't already make me a two piece downpipe by welding a stainless steel flange on stock pipe on the HRC pipe (I'll have pictures soon). Thanks, Kurt

I think you are looking at the coolant freeze plug. This plug is behind the clutch, on that side of the block. If you are looking at the block from the driver side fender, the freeze plug will be on the upper right, as the flexplate has to be off to view it. But yeah, its the plug that is sealing the main oil feed gallery, the one that is on the sending unit, ect.. If your bellhousing is loaded with oil, then I would have to say its not motor oil, but trans fluid. I'm shocked your clutch hasnt slipped yet? Its most likely coming from the input shaft bearing/seal in the trans. Mine did that, and lots of other 's I have heard of. In order ot replace this seal, you must take apart the trans, and have it pressed out, and a new one pressed in. I took my trans(just the bellhousing) to a trans shop, and they pressed in the new bearing/seal for like 20 bucks. The part at the dealer is around 45-50 bucks. Take off your flexplate, and check it out. Check the oil gallery plug, and also the main oil seal on the block. You should be able to tell right away where the oil is coming from. My bet is the trans..its very hard to dicifer that from motor oil..If oil is on your clutch, then I would advise to get a new clutch disk, and have the pressure plate and flywheel resurfaced..esp if you have ceramic disk facings on your clutch, the oil can contaminate the pucks..(this all happened to me) My input shaft seal in the trans never leaked until i put the new clutch in it..just wierd..

Yeah man I was told my headgasket was leaking, but it was my oil pan... go figure? lol check out dumb stuff