I went to start my 22re today after an 11 month long build (I know, long time) and after the motor turned over a few times oil began to pour out the bottom. The oil is coming from the transmission bell housing and the only thing that could mean is that the rear main seal is leaking; correct? But Why? I bought a rebuilt engine with a brand new rear main on it, is there something I did wrong? What would cause this?
My rig is a 1985 4Runner, 22re w/ manual transmission.

Is there anyone in the Phoenix area who wants to help me fix this?

 

either the rear main seal is bad or was put in wrong, either way you will need to pull the engine or the transmission to get to the seal.

 

How do you install a rear main seal wrong?

 

You want to hear what the actual process would be to install one wrong?..

From what I've heard it really takes someone who knows what they are doing to replace a rear main. I know I've seen Marlin (Crawler) post that he's seen way too many people replace theirs just as insurance when they do a clutch, and it's leaking within weeks. Now if you got a rebuilt engine from a good source, they should know how to do it right...but apparently it's tricky to get it right. I'm sure we'll now hear from plenty of people who have done theirs and it's fine, but that's just what I've heard. Not sure if it's just getting it to seat right or what.

 

One other thing to check: make sure the half moon gasket at the back of the cylinder head is there...that would be a much simpler, cheaper issue.

 

Well, it turns out it wasn't the rear main seal. I pulled the transmission, clutch, and flywheel off, sat there looking for the leak and couldn't find it; the seal looked fine. Then my wife comes outside, tells me to move than points to a very obvious hole in the back of the bock. Apparently, SOMEONE (me) forgot to put a small block-off allen screw in the back of the motor just to the top, right of the rear main seal. I felt like an idiot but at least the problems solved.

 

Don't you hate that? Glad you got it fixed!

 

Glad you got it fixed!

I'd still like to hear how you install a rear main seal wrong. What's the correct procedure? I'll be rebuilding my 22re over the winter. That's why I'm asking.

 

You press it in crooked.

You basically need to make sure that you strike the entire surface of the rear main when you are seating it. The means you need to use a block and a dead blow and strike in the exact center of the seal.