How hard is the rear main seal to do on a this engine if the trany is out?What is involved? Went synthetic and did not have a leak for some time then all of a sudden

 

Once the transmission is out, it's a simple matter. Remove the flexplate and the seal is right there. Carefully punch or drill a small hole in the metal body of the seal, without nicking the crankshaft or seal housing. Thread a thin sheet-metal screw into your hole a few turns. Grab the screw with a pair of side-cutters and lever out the seal. Wipe off the crankshaft and housing's surfaces, and install the new seal DRY with the supplied installer and protector.

 

Well I have to do my convertor anyway so I guess i will get it done then. Is there a better seal to use so that I can run synthetic oil and not worry about this hapening again? That is how this whole thing started,I have been running synthetic for a while and then all of a sudden she's bleeding like a pig!!

 

I doubt the synthetic caused the leak. I have heard that an existing leak may get worse with synthetic because it has better viscosity characteristics, but that has not actually been my experience. I have it in my 96, and switched to it at 175K, but I have had no leaks start since then. I am at 220K now.
My BMW was started on it at 175K also, and it is at 214K, and I almost wish I had an oil leak since the bottom is begining to rust.
The 99 was switched at 50K, and is now at 111K. I have a small valve cover leak that I have not tracked down yet, but I don't blame the synthetic for it.

Chris

 

What do you think caused it then? I can tell you this the bottom of the truck was dry as a bone and all of a sudden right between the inpection cover and the engine there is oil pouring out. Is there a better seal that is recamended for use with synthetic oils???

 

Well it appears that you you were right it isn't the rear main I was fooled into thinking it was when it was somthing completely unrelated! Man I sure wish I could keep the bottom of this truck a little cleaner then maybe I could see were the leaks are coming from!

 

It seems to me that if a seal or gasket is almost worn out, a change to synthetic oil is usually just enough to push it over the edge. If you are starting with a new seal, it will work with synthetics indefinitely.