Oil Leak (Rear Main Seal or Housing)
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Oil Leak and 4X4 indicator light always on
See Update 6/10/02 Below for new developments
I've been monitoring this board since January 2001, I ordered a Supercrew in February 2001, and I took Delivery in April 2001.
2001 SuperCrew XLT, 5.4L, 4X4 Offroad, Tow Package, etc...
I bought the truck to use primarily as a vehicle to tow my boat. I have another vehicle that I use to drive to work, etc. I keep the SuperCrew in the garage, and I really prefer not to drive it in the rain. I guess what I am saying is that I take meticulous care of this truck. It has 7,500 miles to date.
Well, I returned from Lake Cumberland on 5/27 and left the truck in the garage. I was in the garage on 6/2 and noticed a small oil spot on the floor of the garage (which is also kept very clean). I got under the truck and found that oil is collecting on the bottom of the torque converter (specifically around the small black plastic plug) and then dripping (at an extremely slow pace) onto the floor.
So I called the dealership and set up an appointment to bring it in. I dropped it off this morning at 7:00am, then at 8:00am the Assistant Service Manager calls me at home to tell me that the Rear Main Seal or Housing is leaking, and that they have to pull the transmission in order to perform the repair. He then asked if I would like them to begin the work now, or if I would like to reschedule. This was confusing to me. Why would I want to continue to drive the truck and potentially cause further damage?
He was asking because he said that they would probably have to hold the truck until Monday and he wanted to let me decide if I needed it over the weekend. Well, when I checked the weather on Wednesday night (possible boating trip this weekend), they were calling for rain all weekend. Then, of course, when I checked again this morning, after I told them to start, It is supposed to be sunny all weekend long. Figures!
Anyway, there is a possibility that the work will be done on Friday, but there is also a chance that it won't be done until Monday.
I guess I am posting this message to:
1. Find out if others have had a similar issue with the Rear Main Seal/Housing...
2. Should I press for a replacement truck so I can tow my boat to the lake this weekend?
Thanks....
Matthew
Update 6/10/02
OK, I dropped off the Truck on Thursday, 6/6/02. They finished the work on Friday, 6/7/02. They replaced the main rear seal. On Saturday I towed the boat back down to Cumberland, KY. Whenever we stopped, I checked to see if oil was leaking. Nothing all the way down. (However I did notice that the torque converter is "chirping" whenever it engages/disengages)
When I pull the boat out of the water, I throw it into 4X4 and then back into 4X2 once I'm up the ramp. Well, I did this as usual and guess what... Now the 4X4 indicator light on the dash is always on, no matter if the selector is on 2H, 4H or 4L. I read the manual and it says that if this light remains on when in 2H, it needs to be serviced.
Then, to top it off.... We drove the usual 30 minutes to I-75 and stopped to eat at KFC. I got under the truck and the oil leak is back.....
Called the Service Manager at 7:00am and dropped it off.....
I've been monitoring this board since January 2001, I ordered a Supercrew in February 2001, and I took Delivery in April 2001.
2001 SuperCrew XLT, 5.4L, 4X4 Offroad, Tow Package, etc...
I bought the truck to use primarily as a vehicle to tow my boat. I have another vehicle that I use to drive to work, etc. I keep the SuperCrew in the garage, and I really prefer not to drive it in the rain. I guess what I am saying is that I take meticulous care of this truck. It has 7,500 miles to date.
Well, I returned from Lake Cumberland on 5/27 and left the truck in the garage. I was in the garage on 6/2 and noticed a small oil spot on the floor of the garage (which is also kept very clean). I got under the truck and found that oil is collecting on the bottom of the torque converter (specifically around the small black plastic plug) and then dripping (at an extremely slow pace) onto the floor.
So I called the dealership and set up an appointment to bring it in. I dropped it off this morning at 7:00am, then at 8:00am the Assistant Service Manager calls me at home to tell me that the Rear Main Seal or Housing is leaking, and that they have to pull the transmission in order to perform the repair. He then asked if I would like them to begin the work now, or if I would like to reschedule. This was confusing to me. Why would I want to continue to drive the truck and potentially cause further damage?
He was asking because he said that they would probably have to hold the truck until Monday and he wanted to let me decide if I needed it over the weekend. Well, when I checked the weather on Wednesday night (possible boating trip this weekend), they were calling for rain all weekend. Then, of course, when I checked again this morning, after I told them to start, It is supposed to be sunny all weekend long. Figures!
Anyway, there is a possibility that the work will be done on Friday, but there is also a chance that it won't be done until Monday.
I guess I am posting this message to:
1. Find out if others have had a similar issue with the Rear Main Seal/Housing...
2. Should I press for a replacement truck so I can tow my boat to the lake this weekend?
Thanks....
Matthew
Update 6/10/02
OK, I dropped off the Truck on Thursday, 6/6/02. They finished the work on Friday, 6/7/02. They replaced the main rear seal. On Saturday I towed the boat back down to Cumberland, KY. Whenever we stopped, I checked to see if oil was leaking. Nothing all the way down. (However I did notice that the torque converter is "chirping" whenever it engages/disengages)
When I pull the boat out of the water, I throw it into 4X4 and then back into 4X2 once I'm up the ramp. Well, I did this as usual and guess what... Now the 4X4 indicator light on the dash is always on, no matter if the selector is on 2H, 4H or 4L. I read the manual and it says that if this light remains on when in 2H, it needs to be serviced.
Then, to top it off.... We drove the usual 30 minutes to I-75 and stopped to eat at KFC. I got under the truck and the oil leak is back.....
Called the Service Manager at 7:00am and dropped it off.....
Last edited by wehttam; Jun 11, 2002 at 12:40 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
The reason he asked you when you wanted it fixed is because a dripping rear main seal is not a major problem! Don't get me wrong, it should not be leaking in a brand new engine, but driving it like that will not damage anything, other than a few drops of oil on the undercarriage or garage floor.
You could have safely used it for the weekend, and had it fixed later.
The dealer shouild have explained it to you.
Good luck with the repair.
Bru
You could have safely used it for the weekend, and had it fixed later.
The dealer shouild have explained it to you.
Good luck with the repair.
Bru
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Palmer PA
I would press for a New engine if it was me. I have heard of the 4.6L engine having oil leaks and head gasket problems but not the 5.4L. Now I am starting to here problems with the 5.4L and i am getting worried because i have a new truck 5.4L coming in.I guess quality is not job 1 .
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: portales, nm
We have a 4.6l, it had oil leaks. We got a new engine. Here is the thread.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=66776
Good Luck
2001 Screw 4X4 XLT
4.6L
Skids
Bright Red
6-disk CD Changer
Sliding Rear Window
9" ac/dc TV/VCR for trips
Westin Nerf Bars
Lund Bug Shield
Spray in Liner
Snugtop XTR Topper
Ordered 6 Dec 00
Born 8 Jan 2001
Got from Dealer 22 Jan 2001
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=66776
Good Luck
2001 Screw 4X4 XLT
4.6L
Skids
Bright Red
6-disk CD Changer
Sliding Rear Window
9" ac/dc TV/VCR for trips
Westin Nerf Bars
Lund Bug Shield
Spray in Liner
Snugtop XTR Topper
Ordered 6 Dec 00
Born 8 Jan 2001
Got from Dealer 22 Jan 2001