The national cost for a rear main seal replacement with CarAdvise in 2024 is between $63 and $2367 with an average of $970.

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HOW IT WORKS

What is a rear main seal and how does it work?

As an engine runs, it circulates motor oil throughout the engine block to coat all of the internal moving parts. After oil lubricates the bearings and other components, it falls back down to the oil pan in the bottom of the engine to be recycled and pumped through the engine again. Many gaskets and seals help seal up the gaps between parts of the engine so that the oil stays inside the engine block where it belongs rather than leaking out.

One of these seals is called the rear main seal. Sometimes known as a crankshaft main bearing seal, it takes up the gap between the spinning crankshaft and the engine block or oil pan flange at the rear of the engine.

HOW IS THIS SERVICE PERFORMED?

How is a a Rear Main Seal Replacement done?

Rear main seal replacement requires significant access to your engine. In some cases, the engine might have to be partially or completely removed to allow access to the rear main seal. If this is necessary, repair times will be longer and include more steps.

To replace the rear main seal, a technician will generally perform the following steps:



  • Disconnect the negative battery terminal to cut power to the vehicle
  • Remove any shields, guards, covers, or ducts to gain access to the rear of the engine and front of the transmission
  • Remove any linkages, fluid lines, and wiring on the transmission
  • Support the transmission with a transmission jack, then remove the transmission mounting bolts
  • Remove the transmission
  • Remove the flywheel or flexplate
  • Remove the rear main seal
  • Install a new rear main seal
  • Reinstall the flexplate or flywheel
  • Reinstall the transmission and connect all components to the transmission
  • Reinstall any shields, guards, covers, or ducts that were removed
  • Reconnect the battery terminal
  • Start the vehicle and verify the repair by allowing the engine to warm up and observing for leaks

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POPULAR VEHICLES

National average cost of a a Rear Main Seal Replacement
for popular vehicles:

Car Model

Avg. cost

$50

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COMMON SYMPTOMS

How do I know if my vehicle needs a new rear main seal?

The primary sign of a bad rear main seal is an oil leak from the engine. Your engine might need this seal replaced if you notice one or more of the following:

Oil is leaking on the ground near the rear of the engine (front or right side of the engine compartment, depending on whether your engine is front or transverse mounted) or front of the transmission

Oil is leaking onto the ground, and it appears to be coming from the rear of the engine or front of the transmission

The rear of the oil pan or bottom of the bell housing is wet with oil

The engine is low on oil

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Other questions customers ask

Can I drive my car with a rear main seal leak?
Although a bad main seal will typically not cause your engine to run poorly, it will cause it to leak oil and can eventually result in ruining the entire engine due to lack of lubrication. Because of this, driving with a bad main seal is strongly discouraged.
Does the engine have to be pulled to replace the rear main seal?
It is common that either the engine or transmission (or both) needs to be removed to replace the rear main seal. Which one depends on the vehicle make and model.
Will stop leak fix a rear main seal leak?
There are many products on the market that are supposedly designed to "repair" leaking gaskets and seals, however these are often very short term fixes and many consumers report the products actually worsening the leak in the end. The only true and correct way to stop a rear main seal from leaking is to have it replaced by a qualified professional.

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This is demo Answer

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