Rear main seal blown out?
05-26-2009, 09:05 AM
#1
Rear main seal blown out? Decided to post a new thread instead of a continuation of this one.
About 15 mins. into my first startup, I noticed a growing puddle of engine oil slinging off the flexplate. After cooldown, I was able to look up between the block and flexplate and saw that the rear main seal was pushed out of it's cavity and was up against the flexplate. This was a factory installed seal that has never been removed from the rear plate. However, the rear plate was off for inspection purposes. I was hoping I could work the seal back in with a long screwdriver, but the metal housing was still in place, just the rubber part was blown out.
After further consideration, I have a set of billet valve covers with no provisions for venting, only a sealed (O-ring) fill cap. Could crankcase pressure have done this? I'm replacing the seal today, and ordering some type of vent system...
Thanks!
Russ
About 15 mins. into my first startup, I noticed a growing puddle of engine oil slinging off the flexplate. After cooldown, I was able to look up between the block and flexplate and saw that the rear main seal was pushed out of it's cavity and was up against the flexplate. This was a factory installed seal that has never been removed from the rear plate. However, the rear plate was off for inspection purposes. I was hoping I could work the seal back in with a long screwdriver, but the metal housing was still in place, just the rubber part was blown out.
After further consideration, I have a set of billet valve covers with no provisions for venting, only a sealed (O-ring) fill cap. Could crankcase pressure have done this? I'm replacing the seal today, and ordering some type of vent system...
Thanks!
Russ
