I have a 2000 F150 5.4l with 40k miles. I just noticed that the rear main seal is leaking. I lost like almost 2 quarts of oil within about 3,500 miles. I did not have anhy oil spots in my garage or driveway, and it has never burned any oil that I know of. Anyway, in changing the oil today, I noticed that it is leaking from the rear main seal.

Dealer is trying to get an out of warranty repair covered like 70-80%, which is good for me cause he quoted me a low estimate of about $850 to replace the seal.

Has anyone else with this low of mileage had problems with the rear main seal going out? It is not leaking terribly, as like I said, there have not been any oil stains anywhere, but it is leaking.

Any input would be appreciated. The rear main seal leaking at 40k miles seams way out of the expected.

What are your experiences????



homebrau

 

Are you sure it is the Rear main seal? Could it be the passenger side head gasket?

JMC

 

No. I am sure it is the rear main seal. It is leaking right at the rear main seal where the engine mates to the transmission. There is no signs of oil leaking anywhere on or around the engine itself.


homebrau

 

40k seems quite low for a rear main seal.
Changing it and more important determining what caused it are the next steps. Drop tranny remove flexplate remove slinger and then the seal. Sounds easy doesn't it?

JMC

PS are you thinking of doing it yourself?

 

Ohhhh no. I am not mechanically inclined enough to tackle that job myself and Ford has agreed to cover the cost 80% outside of the warranty because I have been such a good customer with them.

Now if it was a project truck or one that was not relied upon as a daily driver, I would take on the challenge, if nothing else but as a learning experience.

I just was wanting to see if this premature problem is common with these trucks or if my truck just was an unlucky contestant.

Thanks for the input.


homebrau

 

Are you sure its not an oil pan gasket I rarely replace a rear main seal. The rear main seal does not commonly leak.

 

I thought for sure my old Cherokee had a rear main leaking. I actually bought the part (it's funny: an $800 job to replace a $3 part, oh well). When we got in there, we noiced that it was actually the oil pan gasket. It's definitely worth checking out before that tranny comes down.

 

HOMEBRAU== where are you from?? Im from Fulton but i go to school at CMSU in Warrensburg. Shoot me a reply and you might be able to meet us here in a week or two for a cookout around mid MO.

 

Actually, the dealer has my truck as of this morning and they said it is not a rear main seal, but I guess there is another type of seal at the transmission??? Maybe I am being naive. Does this sound right. They still will have to remove the tranny to get to it, but apparently it isn't the rear main seal.

I do know that it isn't the oil pan, though.

I had Ford do a transmission flush about 8k miles ago. I am guessing that the flush caused the gasket to go out. I was told by a couple fo tranny shops that doing the flush is known to cause seals to go out. Do you all think it is possible?

Green_98:

I live in Lees Summit. I graduated from CMSU with my BS in Electronics in 2000. I spent 13 years off and on, part-time and some full time to get my degree finished, because I went to school after having a family. You are smart to get it done now while you are still young, if you are going to do it.

I too am in school, only I go to Baker for my MBA. So....I really have no time for any socializing. Between work, school, and family, I am tapped to get anything accomplished. I just sold my Tracker boat because I never have time to use it.

One day.....

 

If its a trans leaks its probally the front pump. If its an engine oil leak and its not the rear seal or the pan then its most likely the housing that the rear main seal is in. There is an aluminum housing that is about 3/4 of an inch thick that holds the rear seal and provides a gasket surface for the back of the pan. Hope that helps

 

Is it motor oil or ATF that is leaking?

 

They did mention the pump, so I think it is what mxracer514 mentioned.

When I looked at it, it looked and smelled to me like engine oil, but they swear it to be tranny fluid.

Thanks for the input guys!

homebrau

 

homebrau,
I had our pump seal replaced at about 36K on our '01 SCrew, about 4 months ago. Haven't had any problems or leaking againg yet, I was thankful it wasn't the head gasket problem everyone talks about. I work in Lee's Summitt, I had Adams Ford in Raymore do the work, we live in Raymore. Good Luck.

 

eswartz:

Yeah, the dealer is saying it is the pump seal on mine. Have you had your tranny flushed at any previous time? I am trying to determine if the tranny flush I had done had anything to do with the pump seal leaking.

Wow, you really are a neighbor. I have friends that live in one of the lake subdivisions in Raymore. I forget what the lake name/subdivision is, but it is just West of the Caseys on 58 hwy. The entrance off of 58 is right next to a bank and I think there is a funeral home on the opposite side of 58.

We may run into each other and not even know it. I go through that neck of the woods somewhat frequently. I live right accross from Raintree Lake in the Stoney Creek Estates Subdivision.

How will I be able to recognize your truck?

 

I really doubt that flushing the trans could cause your leak. It could have been leaking before hand or its just bad luck. Either way If the flush was done recently I would approach the dealer about discounting the leak repair because they should have reported the leak to you before flushing the trans. If it was leaking before the flush the tech should have caught it and reported it to you and giving you a choice of making the repair or not doing the flush.