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)

_____________________________________
Jason ESi-T

04' BMW 325Ci
91' Nissan 240SX
98' Eagle Talon ESi (sold)

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.

13.5 @108 MPH-2.2 60ft(stupid FWD!)
S16G @ 18 PSI/FMIC/Running on MegaSquirt II (Now with sequential
fuel injection)
My webpage: http://eclipsed4evr.home.comcast.net
-1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS-T- "Toy"
-1992 Plymouth Laser Turbo AWD(SOLD)
-2000 Honda CR-V(daily)

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

13.5 @108 MPH-2.2 60ft(stupid FWD!)
S16G @ 18 PSI/FMIC/Running on MegaSquirt II (Now with sequential
fuel injection)
My webpage: http://eclipsed4evr.home.comcast.net
-1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS-T- "Toy"
-1992 Plymouth Laser Turbo AWD(SOLD)
-2000 Honda CR-V(daily)

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

Boca Raton, Florida
95 Eclipse GS- sold
99 Eclipse GSX- 386awhp
98 Eclipse GS- sold
92 Prelude