Breezey

Has anyone done a Rear main seal yet on their 3.4? I think mine is leaking, not sure if I am going to leave it leaking or just get a new 3.4 since I am guessing its a real bitch to take the tranny out.

CTB

Are you sure the rear main is leaking, or is it dripping down from up above...ie, valve covers?

Breezey

I am not sure.. the leak is soo soooo soooooooo slow

Hyperlite

Mine has been leaking also. I think taking the tranny out might not be that hard with a floor jack cause the cross member unbolts. Do you have a part number for that seal?

NorCalVP

getting the tranny off is the easy part, it's putting it back on that's the bitch.. for 5 speed's anyway...

Nitro Hotpants

I just had mine done on my 2.7 and the dealer quoted me about 900 or so for the entire job. But since i have hook-ups at the dealership it cost me about 650.

Gadget

If you are seeing the wet on the front diff and think it is coming from the engine, it may not be.

There is a vent line on the front diff that is not sealed with clamps. On both of mine gear oil seeps from that connection and seeps down all over the diff. I was convinced it was coming from somewhere else, but when I installed my front ARB it showed me what it was. Could this be your problem or are you sure it is the rear main?

Gadget

Hyperlite

I have a leak coming from between the engine and the transmission.

sswearin1

being a noob, I recently noticed the same, slow drip out of my 3.4. thinking it might have been a mistake i made changing the oil, I had the guy at the transmission shop where I had my fluid changed take a look with me, and he agreed that it looked like the rear seal. not really knowing what I'm looking at I agreed that the leak looked to be between the tranny and engine. help. how much? no way I can do it. anybody know a good yota wrench shop in portland, or?

86toyota

Holy ˟˟˟˟˟, I thought Breezey was back....then noticed the date.

sswearin1

bump

86toyota

BUMP? it's been like two minutes

sswearin1

i'm the anxious type. i'll step away from the keyboard now...

Mickdady

If it is a five speed you can pull the inspection cover off between the trans and engine and look up. If the oil comes from the trans side it is the rear main, engine side, could be oil pan, valve covers etc.

5 speed trans isn't too bad to remove...all the little plastic clips are a pita though.

sswearin1

thanks, it's an auto. I'll describe what I see and I'll try and post pics, I'll borrow my buddies camera tomorrow. Where the oil pan runs back, all around it looks good, no leaks. the transmission (i'm guessing) is in the grey colored housing and oil seems to be leaking from the grey side and dripping down below, coating all the steering bar, the bar that the lower control arms connect to and the gear things that drives the 4wd and is connected to the cv boots. i don't really know if I'm describing things well enough since this is the first rig i've ever been motivated to learn how to fix, and I using the crappy haynes repair manual.

Hyperlite

You will know it is the main seal by looking in front of the transmission pan, you can see the majority of the bell housing. Mine is leaking from the bottom of the housing.

sswearin1

yep, i think that's what I have. is the bell housing the light grey I described? vs the black of the pans, etc? and what are the long terms effects? better to spend the money now for the slight leak, let it sit? any ideas guys?

sswearin1

bump, for options and feedback

sswearin1

bump, for feedback. can it wait?

Mickdady

I think you should get it done. Personally I am anal about my truck. I will not tolerate leaks. But some people don't mind adding oil now and again. I just don't like the mess.

If you could crawl under and take a few pics we might be able to help narrow it down.

Mike