Question about rear main seal.

[TheBeast92]

I have a block in my garage that I have been tearing apart. I pulled the water and oil pump off to replace and started to pull out the rear main seal. I undid the 5 bolts that hold the plate on but could not get it off to get to the seal. I don't really want to bother with it as the seal isn't bad. But I don't know if it will be alright to just put the 5 bolts back in and tighten them down. Am I going to get an oil leak from there now or should it be ok? I don't know if there is a gasket or anything behind it that will now require being replaced since I loosened those bolts...

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

There is a gasket behind there and it may take some prying to get it off but since you have already tried you need to get it off and replace it. It's only about $7.00 to replace it and a lot more expensive than that when you have to replace it when it's in the car. Do it now to be safe. Take it off, get a new seal and gasket, CopperCoat the gasket and put it back together.

 

[TheBeast92]

Ok thanks man.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Correct, there is a gasket for the seal housing. It doesn't do you any good now, but you didn't have to remove the housing to change the seal as the seal will just pry out of the housing and a new one presses into place.

But yes, now that you've buggered the gasket up, replace both. It's only $15-$20 for both, and that would be from the dealer.