Rear Main Seal Leak

[gettinthere]

Looks like I have a slight leak at the rear main seal on my Perkins 4.154. It will not be easy to pull the engine/trans to make the repair.

Anything I can do to slow/stop the leak? All the fasteners are very tight.

[daddle]

Here's my standard answer. There is a slim chance the crankcase blow-by vent tube is clogged. That can force oil out. Slim chance, but super easy to check. I fixed a leaky engine once this way...

[dcapn88]

Similar situation: I have Universal M50 that I am pretty sure isl eaking oil , big-time, out the rear main seal. I can (and have done previously) move the engine forward, remove the trans/bellhousing/flywheel. My question is: can I then replace the rear main seal, (i.e. in the boat)?

[model 10]

Nothing you can add will swell the rope rear seal. Think about drilling a hole in the botom of the bell housing and catching the oil. At some point the starter could get oil in it and stop working
No idea about the Universal rear seal but if it were a Perkins, it's behind the flywheel and easy to remove.

[Janove-Norway]

Hi, i just finnished of a rebuild of. 4154.

Mine was in my garage so the job was easy for me.
The answer is yes, you can replace it without lifting the engine.
The difficulty will be based on how much soace you have behind the engine.
This is what you need to do (pardon my spelling and gramatic errors.
* loosen and push back your propeller shaft.
* loosen the gear box. It sits with six screws if it is the wurth gear.
* remove the “clutchplate”. Think this one also has six screws in it.
* remove the flywheel buttom cover. Sitts with two screws.
* remove the flywheel.

Now you have access to the “gasket”. It sitts with two longer screws.
Take it out, replace the seal. I recomend that you put grafitt grease on it before you put the parts together.

With the engine out the whole operation takes about one hour, with the limited space. I would buy some beer. Put on some music and just take it step by step.

It is really easy, and i would say anyone can do the job.