Two leaking rear main seals in a year?? Leaking Head Gasket...Oil Pressure Issues???

jsavage · 05-17-2010, 11:15 AM

During a tranny rebuild 5 months ago I also had a new clutch installed (remachined stock flywheel and exedy stage 1) because the shop said it was covered in oil from a rear main seal leak (they also replaced the seal). Thought I would be trouble free for a long time, but after 2,000 miles the clutch began slipping. The local shop who did the work blamed me for either not knowing how to drive or abusing the clutch, both of which were untrue...salt in the wound guys, thanks!
I used the clutch until it wouldn't hold anymore ~ another 4,000 miles and did the clutch replacement myself this time (after spending $5,000 and getting a transmission that worked worse than when I brought it in, I was unwilling to put it in someone else's hands at that point...my friend let me use his shop, lift, and tools, so it was an easy choice). During the replacement I noticed a rear main seal that was leaking again. After ~ 6,000 miles....? I was glad to know why the clutch was slipping, but now I'm wondering if I have some kind of oil pressure problem. I don't have any engine internal mods, but have just about everything else modded. 02' WRX with 140k, running 500cc injectors (pinks), walboro fuel pump, VF34 turbo @ 1.5 Bar boost, all pipes are aftermarket, larger intercooler and custom tuned CPU. Nothing that would really throw a flag (to me at least).

So, either the original shop did a poor job with the rear main seal install (which is hard to believe, would be difficult to mess that up)...and it's a $8 part, so I'm doubting they lied about replacing it. My head gaskets are also leaking oil a little, so now I'm thinking i may have a high oil pressure problem...? Thoughts??? I do have an oil pressure gauge...I haven't got to reef on the car yet due to breaking in the new clutch, but around 3500 RPM I can get the oil pressure up to 7-8 BAR. Is this high?

BTW, I did go back to the shop and tell them I found out why the clutch was slipping. They didn't seem to care and didn't apologize or anything for my situation. Definitely will not be giving them my money anymore.

Impressive to me is that my original clutch set up (ACT lightweight flywheel and ACT HD clutch) held incredibly strong even when it was "soaked in oil" as the shop had told me...And this clutch had lasted 10's of thousands of miles in this condition. I was reluctant to change it because it felt so great, but I figured it was way cheaper to change it then, while they had the tranny out, then it would be later if it were to start failing. Whereas the exedy only lasted a few thousand of miles, which much less oil on it (only a few thousand miles of leakage on the clutch)... Really speaks to another reason why getting a slightly heavier clutch can be advantageous.

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rkramer · 05-17-2010, 12:36 PM

how much oil are you putting in when you change it? The PSI you are seeing is normal for relatively new, cold oil.

jsavage · 05-19-2010, 05:23 PM

Whatever the owners manual says...can't remember off top of my head...4.2 quarts or something? Maybe that's my old STi number...
Either way, it's between the dots on dip stick and after oil change and refill I always check next time I get the car up to temp.

Any other ideas other than high oil pressure, on why a rear main seal would be bad after 8,000?

jsavage · 05-21-2010, 10:55 AM

bump

Haelan · 05-21-2010, 11:06 AM

Checked the condition of the PCV? I would think the dipstick would pop up before the rear seal blew though if it was bad, but it's worth checking.

05-17-2010, 11:15 AM	#1
jsavage Scooby Specialist Member#: 15699 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Sandy Eggo Vehicle: 02 wrx White	Two leaking rear main seals in a year?? Leaking Head Gasket...Oil Pressure Issues??? During a tranny rebuild 5 months ago I also had a new clutch installed (remachined stock flywheel and exedy stage 1) because the shop said it was covered in oil from a rear main seal leak (they also replaced the seal). Thought I would be trouble free for a long time, but after 2,000 miles the clutch began slipping. The local shop who did the work blamed me for either not knowing how to drive or abusing the clutch, both of which were untrue...salt in the wound guys, thanks! I used the clutch until it wouldn't hold anymore ~ another 4,000 miles and did the clutch replacement myself this time (after spending $5,000 and getting a transmission that worked worse than when I brought it in, I was unwilling to put it in someone else's hands at that point...my friend let me use his shop, lift, and tools, so it was an easy choice). During the replacement I noticed a rear main seal that was leaking again. After ~ 6,000 miles....? I was glad to know why the clutch was slipping, but now I'm wondering if I have some kind of oil pressure problem. I don't have any engine internal mods, but have just about everything else modded. 02' WRX with 140k, running 500cc injectors (pinks), walboro fuel pump, VF34 turbo @ 1.5 Bar boost, all pipes are aftermarket, larger intercooler and custom tuned CPU. Nothing that would really throw a flag (to me at least). So, either the original shop did a poor job with the rear main seal install (which is hard to believe, would be difficult to mess that up)...and it's a $8 part, so I'm doubting they lied about replacing it. My head gaskets are also leaking oil a little, so now I'm thinking i may have a high oil pressure problem...? Thoughts??? I do have an oil pressure gauge...I haven't got to reef on the car yet due to breaking in the new clutch, but around 3500 RPM I can get the oil pressure up to 7-8 BAR. Is this high? BTW, I did go back to the shop and tell them I found out why the clutch was slipping. They didn't seem to care and didn't apologize or anything for my situation. Definitely will not be giving them my money anymore. Impressive to me is that my original clutch set up (ACT lightweight flywheel and ACT HD clutch) held incredibly strong even when it was "soaked in oil" as the shop had told me...And this clutch had lasted 10's of thousands of miles in this condition. I was reluctant to change it because it felt so great, but I figured it was way cheaper to change it then, while they had the tranny out, then it would be later if it were to start failing. Whereas the exedy only lasted a few thousand of miles, which much less oil on it (only a few thousand miles of leakage on the clutch)... Really speaks to another reason why getting a slightly heavier clutch can be advantageous. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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05-17-2010, 12:36 PM	#2
rkramer Scooby Guru Member#: 118209 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: North Dakota Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan	how much oil are you putting in when you change it? The PSI you are seeing is normal for relatively new, cold oil.

05-19-2010, 05:23 PM	#3
jsavage Scooby Specialist Member#: 15699 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Sandy Eggo Vehicle: 02 wrx White	Whatever the owners manual says...can't remember off top of my head...4.2 quarts or something? Maybe that's my old STi number... Either way, it's between the dots on dip stick and after oil change and refill I always check next time I get the car up to temp. Any other ideas other than high oil pressure, on why a rear main seal would be bad after 8,000?

05-21-2010, 10:55 AM	#4
jsavage Scooby Specialist Member#: 15699 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Sandy Eggo Vehicle: 02 wrx White	bump

05-21-2010, 11:06 AM	#5
Haelan Scooby Specialist Member#: 151045 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NW Indiana Vehicle: 2013 Subaru STI CBP	Checked the condition of the PCV? I would think the dipstick would pop up before the rear seal blew though if it was bad, but it's worth checking.