Rear Main seal advice needed

[raaizin]

I have a '96 explorer with a 4.0 in it. I have owned it since new and it currently has 171k miles on it. I changed oil every 3k for the first 100k miles, and change it every 5K since then (always dino oil).
At the rear main seal I am seeing some seepage past the seal. Not enough to drip.What is my best course of action:
1) Do nothing and wait till it begins to leak
2) High mileage oil
3) Auto Rx

Thanks Ray

 

[Cutehumor]

I would do auto-rx since it's not dripping. once it's dripping on the ground, the seal may be cracked/torn. Auto-rx won't help there. don't ask me how I know

 

[Gurkha]

Change the seal ASAP, a seeping seal means dirt is getting in as well, this time when you change the seal, clean the area thoroughly, then put some Tri Bond liquid gasket and then seat the seal, your seal will last the lifetime of the car.

 

[1kickbuttranger]

I woundnt touch it untill you have to

 

[glloyd]

Quote:

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I woundnt touch it untill you have to

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same here

 

[JTK]

All the truck based vehicles I've owned new/used, domestic and other, had a small amount of seepage around the RMS. Never enough to pool or drip. @ 11yrs and 170K+ I'd say you are doing great!

Joel

 

[Sparkman]

As long as they don't leave a puddle or coat the entire vehicle I leave oil leaks alone unless I'm in there for another reason. The exceptions to that would be oil getting on a clutch, timing belt or exhaust.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I would try Auto-RX first. You might need to do two treatments since iti s over 100,000 miles but I would try just one treatment first. IF the seal is not dmaged just a little dry and dirty but not cracked or torn AUto-Rx will usualy save it and stop the leak.

 

[widman]

Definitely AutoRX. by the time you get finished with the treatment cycle, there is an 80% or higher chance it will seal, and give years more service. You end up softening and expanding the seal co compensate for its shrinkage and wear.

 

[cfromc]

I vote for: "Do nothing and wait till it begins to leak"
Seapage is common and may never turn into a leak.