Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
the rear, near the bellhousing.

I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.

Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
the old one in!!

s0eebuch

 

Practice makes perfect:
http://www.northeastonlinewheelers.org/rms1.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

Practice makes perfect:
http://www.northeastonlinewheelers.org/rms1.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

Maybe the pan got warped? Too tight on the bolts and it can leak like a
pig.

Did you use RTV at the seal corners?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

Maybe the pan got warped? Too tight on the bolts and it can leak like a
pig.

Did you use RTV at the seal corners?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Help! The rear main seal was leaking on my 87 grand wag (360V8), so I
> decided to change it out myself. Well, everything went back together
> ok (I think), but when I went to start it up, oil started spraying out
> the rear, near the bellhousing.
>
> I know the rear main seal halves were in correctly (I was very careful
> with that), and it isn't leaking anywhere else.
>
> Any ideas? If I had know it would leak this bad, I would have left
> the old one in!!
>
> s0eebuch

 

Guys,

Thanks for all the good advice. Here's an update: The following
weekend, a buddy and I towed the Wag to his shop. He had an air
compressor, full set of air tools, hydraulic lift, ect. ect. (Jeep
owner's dream, right?). So, I redid the rear main seal. Turns out,
the rear oil pan seal was split and the upper rear seal half was in
pieces (I had sliced it up while inserting. I guess I didn't drop the
crank far enough when I installed it the first time.) Anyways, I get
everything back together correctly with the help of my SAE certified
mechanic friend (a GREAT friend to have, by the way). Leak stopped,
for a little while anyways.

Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.

Is there anywhere else I could have a leak? The oil is dripping off
the bellhousing, directly on the hot exhaust that runs beneath. (<--
side question: why would jeep engineers put an exhaust directly
beneath the point where the engine and tranny bolt together? A few
inches forward or back and it wouldn't smoke nearly as bad when it
leaks!!)

So, any ideas anyone? Anyone have a similar problem?

Thanks!!

 

Guys,

Thanks for all the good advice. Here's an update: The following
weekend, a buddy and I towed the Wag to his shop. He had an air
compressor, full set of air tools, hydraulic lift, ect. ect. (Jeep
owner's dream, right?). So, I redid the rear main seal. Turns out,
the rear oil pan seal was split and the upper rear seal half was in
pieces (I had sliced it up while inserting. I guess I didn't drop the
crank far enough when I installed it the first time.) Anyways, I get
everything back together correctly with the help of my SAE certified
mechanic friend (a GREAT friend to have, by the way). Leak stopped,
for a little while anyways.

Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.

Is there anywhere else I could have a leak? The oil is dripping off
the bellhousing, directly on the hot exhaust that runs beneath. (<--
side question: why would jeep engineers put an exhaust directly
beneath the point where the engine and tranny bolt together? A few
inches forward or back and it wouldn't smoke nearly as bad when it
leaks!!)

So, any ideas anyone? Anyone have a similar problem?

Thanks!!

 

Will you replace the valve cover gasket?
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Guys,
>
> Thanks for all the good advice. Here's an update: The following
> weekend, a buddy and I towed the Wag to his shop. He had an air
> compressor, full set of air tools, hydraulic lift, ect. ect. (Jeep
> owner's dream, right?). So, I redid the rear main seal. Turns out,
> the rear oil pan seal was split and the upper rear seal half was in
> pieces (I had sliced it up while inserting. I guess I didn't drop the
> crank far enough when I installed it the first time.) Anyways, I get
> everything back together correctly with the help of my SAE certified
> mechanic friend (a GREAT friend to have, by the way). Leak stopped,
> for a little while anyways.
>
> Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
> the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
> whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
> I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.
>
> Is there anywhere else I could have a leak? The oil is dripping off
> the bellhousing, directly on the hot exhaust that runs beneath. (<--
> side question: why would jeep engineers put an exhaust directly
> beneath the point where the engine and tranny bolt together? A few
> inches forward or back and it wouldn't smoke nearly as bad when it
> leaks!!)
>
> So, any ideas anyone? Anyone have a similar problem?
>
> Thanks!!

 

Will you replace the valve cover gasket?
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

s0eebuch wrote:
>
> Guys,
>
> Thanks for all the good advice. Here's an update: The following
> weekend, a buddy and I towed the Wag to his shop. He had an air
> compressor, full set of air tools, hydraulic lift, ect. ect. (Jeep
> owner's dream, right?). So, I redid the rear main seal. Turns out,
> the rear oil pan seal was split and the upper rear seal half was in
> pieces (I had sliced it up while inserting. I guess I didn't drop the
> crank far enough when I installed it the first time.) Anyways, I get
> everything back together correctly with the help of my SAE certified
> mechanic friend (a GREAT friend to have, by the way). Leak stopped,
> for a little while anyways.
>
> Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
> the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
> whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
> I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.
>
> Is there anywhere else I could have a leak? The oil is dripping off
> the bellhousing, directly on the hot exhaust that runs beneath. (<--
> side question: why would jeep engineers put an exhaust directly
> beneath the point where the engine and tranny bolt together? A few
> inches forward or back and it wouldn't smoke nearly as bad when it
> leaks!!)
>
> So, any ideas anyone? Anyone have a similar problem?
>
> Thanks!!

 

I vote with Bill! :-)
Change the Valve Cover Gaskets and use RTV on clean grease-'free surfaces.
Don't overtorque the bolts either, the RTV will seal it up. :-)

Did you clean up the engine so you can see any possible leaks?

I remember ripping an upper rear main seal half when installing one too! It
happens, but it makes you more careful on the next ones. lol
later,
dave
82 FSJ 360 auto
88 FSJ-GW 360 auto (Alive Again)
88 XJ 4.0 auto

----- Original Message -----
From: "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net>
> Will you replace the valve cover gasket?


>
> s0eebuch wrote:
> >
> > Guys,

snip

> >
> > Now, the leak has returned. I don't think it's the rear main seal or
> > the oil pan gasket (mechanic friend was looking over my shoulder the
> > whole time I reinstalled). I have already replaced the PCV valve, and
> > I'm reasonably sure the valve cover gaskets aren't leaking.