I have a slow oil leak right where the tranny butts up to the engine. probably a stupid question(new to mechanic work), but is that called the bellhousing? where the tranny is bolted to the motor? anyway, i have to add about 1 quart between every oil change. i would guess it is the rear main seal? i have heard that this is a pain to change and would hate to get f'd on the labor. Any suggestions? is there anything i should go ahead and replace when i pull back the tranny?

 

cant be as bad as my 3.0 motor, where the motor has to be lifted to change the pan.

 

I'm assuming that you go at least 3000 miles between oil changes, so a quart isn't that bad. I strongly suggest that you try Auto Rx, it took care of my oil pan. The least you will gain is a clean motor.

http://www.auto-rx.com/

 

My 4.0 needs valve cover gasakets. It leaks down the back of the motor and drips off the same spot your talking about.

However it uses way less oil than you do. Maybe a half quart every 5k.

Until you hit about a quart every 1000 miles i wouldn't worry about it. It may cost more in oil but will be cheaper than fixing just a rear main.

 

cool. thanks. i will have to get me some auto rx stuff. and if that doesnt fix the problem, i will wait till it starts leaking worse and chage the valve cover gaskets. i usually go 3,000 to 3,500 between oil changes. is changing the vavle cover gaskets a tough job? could i do it myself or are there special tools needed for it?

 

If it's a rear main.. it's a big pain to replace. Gotta pull the tranny backward about 4-5" minimum. I'd expect labor to be at least $300 just to replace the $10 seal.

Rich

 

here i am 4 months later and still leaking, but it hasnt gotten worse. just ordered 2 bottles of Auto rx and i will post a reply with the results. Thanks.

 

Just wondering how Auto RX worked.Did you try it yet?

 

Mine did the same thing...
I think its likely your valve cover. I would find out where its coming from and fix it other wise you'll be buying a new starter soon.. its possibly getting onto your clutch plate too.

 

i am almost through the cleaning cycle with the auto-rx. my leak has considerably slowed too. but, i do notice that i have been running a little bit hotter than normal. don't know why though. if i am sitting in traffic for a while, it will get up to the A and sometimes the L on the NORMAL on my temp guage. it never used top go past the R, no matter what i did. anybody have any ideas? what's the best way to trace an oil leak? my guess would be to get it steamcleaned?

 

forgot another question. if i can find the leak before it stops, (if it does stop) should i replace the gasket anyway? how hard tough of a job is it to replace the valve cover gaskets?

 

valve covers arnt that bad to do if you find it is the valve cover fix it

 

that sure is a nice truck you have there downey.