Rear Main Seal Questions! Please Help

[Tico Frank]

I am in the process of replacing the rear main seal and I am concerned I did it wrong.

#1 Against my gut feeling I did not add any sealant to the outer lip of the RMS and I keep reading that I should have used some sealant or gasket maker on the outer side that touches the RSM housing. I just added a dab of motor oil so it would slide on easily?

#2 I didn't know that I was supposed to use the white plastic piece to install the Rear Main Seal so it would slide over the flywheel mount so I just slowly worked the inner part of the RMS over the mount. It was a ghetto process BUT I never tore the inner part of the RSM.

Should I just spend another $25 on a RSM and do it over again?

[reelizmpro]

I didnt use any sealant but using the tool is very important. I don't know if it will be okay or not...its hard to say.

[Tico Frank]

Any thoughts on this? The seal looks like it is set pretty evenly. I just wish there was a way I could test the seal for leaks before I put the tranny on.

Might just be stressing this for no reason.

[Tico Frank]

Thanks reelismpro. I agree and that's what concerns me. I did take care to make sure the inner seal was even and not torn but I am still nervous.

[reelizmpro]

I would love to say not to worry about it but u don't want to have to do this job again for a long time. Might be worth it to remove it and at least use the tool to install it. Also make sure the seal doesn't ride in any grooves.

[Tico Frank]

That's a great idea. I will just remove, reinspect the seal and re-install using the tool.

[e46s54dr]

If you remove the seal, you should not re-use it. It will most likely get damaged from removal anyways. If you do decide to redo it, soak the new seal in oil for a bit and press it in evenly. Also make sure all you surfaces are clean and smooth. Most importantly, check your crankshaft for and wear or damages. Sometimes the area where the seal contacts the crankshaft will have a recessed wear ring. If it does, the new seal will have a hard time sealing properly.

[Jand3rson]

Sometimes the area where the seal contacts the crankshaft will have a recessed wear ring. If it does, the new seal will have a hard time sealing properly.

And this is why I would HIGHLY recommend pulling off, getting a new seal, and sleeving the crank seal surface. We did mine when I did my new RSM, and for $45, it's EXCELLENT peace of mind. The one you want is called a Speedi Sleeve, they're made by SKF and super easy to install, they just come with this tuna-can looking thing that you use to gently tap the sleeve over the seal surface.



I would also highly recommend gasket sealer between the RSM housing, the gasket, and the block.

[TimKninja]

Hmmm...I didn't use the white tool that came with my RMS.

That could of been why it leaked so much.

[RoadHazard]

That's a great idea. I will just remove, reinspect the seal and re-install using the tool.

So what did you do eventually? And what was the result? I'm in the same boat right now (installed a new seal and got a leak.) I'm trying to find out whether I could reuse that seal.

[328ijunkie]

I use the new style seals and never ever have issues.

[M3PO]

My S50 doesn't look like it was leaking (113K miles). I bought a new old-style seal but I'm not sure what to do. Replace it and risk the new one leaking or slap it in as-is and change it when it does start to leak.

[328ijunkie]

I have installed a few of the old style ones just to have them START leaking :(!

[M3PO]

I have installed a few of the old style ones just to have them START leaking :(!

So you think the old style ones are just inferior?

[Rsully70sev]

Do it once, do it right.