how can i tell if the oil leak is coming from the rear main or the oil pan? it is an 89 2wd with a 22r. from about two thirds of the way back on the oil pan is covered in oil and it looks like somone used red rtv for an oil pan gasket. also the oil pan bolts are extrememly tight. are they supposed to be that tight?
#2 how hard is it to fix a stripped spark plug hole in cylinder #4?

#3 how long should it take to change the rear main? (if that is the problem)

thanks

troy

 

I recently had a couple of the same issues...

1) I went to the carwash and cleaned the underside of the engine really well. It was apparent that my leak was from the rear main seal. Not a huge problem. The service manual has a pretty good description of the process. The unfortunate part is that you have to remove the transmission and the flywheel. Not difficult, but a weekend process.

2) I had a similar problem with the #4 sparkplug threads -- not totally stripped, but bad enought to need help. I just used a thread chasing tap and was careful about the shavings.

Good luck,
GreyBeard2