Thread: Main rear engine oil seal : urgent or not ?

Aslong as you keep putting the oil in the top, and dont let it run out you'll be fine

Leave it too long and the clutch will be ruined by the oil.
Andrew

hows it going to get to the clutch?
ah' if the leak is not covering your garage floor with pools of oil, just drips, then you can leave it for a while, but to fix it you will need to drop the gearbox or pull the engine. i do not know which is easier, i do know that dropping the box is a lot of work, having done it myself. i think if i was to change my leaking rear main seal,[yep, mine leaks also] i would try taking the engine out, and leave the box in, but i havn't read the book yet to see what mr land rover advises.

just read the thread on range rover clutch change, you might follow that up, as it seems engine out is easier.

Personally, take the gearbox out!!!

I have always taken the engine out. Easer to do with the wheels on the ground. Gearbox is easer if you have a 4 post ramp and get it 6' in the air. . If you take the engine out then all you have to do is spin it around in the engine bay and then replace the cltuch and seal.
The other reason i take out the engine is i hate undoing all the bolts that hole in the floor, and then the floors never go back the same and then leak

BTW if you are in the there anyway, we also used to say in the UK , what ever you are in there for then replace the clutch (if it needs it or not) , and all the bits while you are in there. Nothing worse than having it all apart and replacing the oil seal. Then to have the cltch or folk or thrust washer go the next month. But if you have a leaking rear main then you should replace the cltch anyway

From past experiance i would find out why it has gone. I had one go a few years ago and replaced it for it to go again (The next week). Turned out the engine was causeing too much crank case pressure. Which was blowing the oil seal

Nothing worst, but on a similar note, different end and machine, I had a badly leaking front oil seal on my old fergy tractor, it would pour out, i bought a new seal, to replace it, then couldn;t crack the nut that holds the pulley on, so i left it , Now I know there are those who don't like the supposed leak sealers, but i bought a bottle, wynns brand( will have to check,the empty bottle i still in the shed) I think stuck it in and , for some reason the leak has stopped. I can;t explain why, but it worked. I have worked it hard since slashing lantana and a couple of paddocks and it is fine, not even a drop has come out.
For the interim this may work for you, till you have time to get the motor out.
If you do the clutch it may be a good idea to get the flywheel machined too. Gives it a better grip.

john

Thanks all - its only a few drops over a day at the moment so will monitor it.
Car's only done 95,000km I would've thought it should last longer than that - although it is a 97 build so maybe the rubber perishes with age.

Anyway when buying a Landy I knew I wouldn't get away with having zero leaks for long