Thread: Rear main seal & T seals still leak after replacement ?

Don't feel too bad, you're not the first to have this problem - even the LR instructions acknowledge that the rear main seal can be difficult to install.

This time around - make sure the crank surface for the seal is really clean and oil free,
-Forget the gasket for the new seal housing and use a fair amount of decent silicone ( 732 works for me)
- Read up on the install procedure for the rear main and how to use the plastic ring.

The seal housing without the gasket should cure both leaks.

Thanks Langy,

Nice to know I'm not the only one.

BTW - I only used silicone. No gasket. And you could have eaten your breakfast off that area it was so clean. I didnt go over board on the silicone though, just a 4mm bead around the outside. Did not want any getting onto the seal. Maybe I should have applied more.

The only leak while moving thing has got me puzzled. If it were the main, surely it would leak continuously? Then again maybe it is, and when moving the flywheel housing flex's enough to let the build up of oil drop between the block.

I'd just hate to do it all over again and find the same thing happen.

Four new 130s and all had the rear main seal replaced under warranty and all continued to leak, so no nothing new there!! I am now in the process of rebuilding the current motor at 350ks and doing it myself and do not want any oil leaks. Hope others can also advise of their experiences and how they have over come this problem as I am sure there is a wealth on info out there
Peter

UPDATE

Pulled the engine again. My 200km old rear main seal was leaking. Not around the housing but the seal lip itself. I called in my local mobil mechanic to have a look at it. He spent a few years working at ARB and claims to have done many 300 tdi's rear mains. His view was that the seal was "burnt". It did appear to have lost some of the fine groves on the lip. He suggested lightly greasing the crank before fitting the seal. When I fitted the seal I ensured the crank was clean of any oily residue (as per RAVE). This appears to be where I went wrong. He also recommended injecting a sealant instead of using rubber T seals.

Originally Posted by Taz

UPDATE

He also recommended injecting a sealant instead of using rubber T seals.

Very interesting Taz, do you know what sort of sealant was used and how successful it was. One dealer mechanic told me its not the rear seal that is the problem but actually the " T " gasket Anyone else used sealant instead of the gasket and with what results
Peter