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Is a rear main seal leak a big deal

3.8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  jtwoods4  
#1 ·
I have a slow rear main seal leak on my 69 GTO. Leaks into the clutch area and I am assuming the clutch gets oil on it. Sometime I can smell it burning. How big a deal is a rear main seal leak? Do I really need to go through the trouble of fixing it or does it not cause any harm?
 
#2 ·
If it gets on the clutch, it will/could cause slippage, hot spots on the fly wheel, clutch chatter, etc........as far as hurting the engine, it isn't so bad as long as you keep the oil filled. I would plan on fixing it. The bottom of your car will look a lot nicer. Eric :cheers
 
#3 ·
X2. I had a rear main leak on my '67 for years because I was too LAZY to fix it. I have an automatic, though, so no issues except a messy undercarriage and smoke from oil burning on the exhaust (embarrassing). I finally pulled the engine and resealed the whole thing, and while at it, detailed the engine bay and repainted the engine. The car looks, smells, and drives much nicer now....and I can drive it all day and park it in a friend's driveway, and not leave a drop. First time in years. It's a lot of work, but, like most difficult things, well worth the effort.