4.3L oil leak

[superpop]

I have a 1996 Wellcraft 19' Bowrider with the Volvo set up and a 4.3L V6 engine. I have an oil leak that I am having a heck of a time finding. It is dripping from the bottom of the lower flywheel cover down into the bilge. I have checked the intake manifold and oil pressure sending unit and it is neither of those. Does that mean my rear main seal is leaking. It is not getting on the flywheel but rather is dripping down in front of it. Any other spots to check before I rip the motor out. I already changed the pan gasket and that did not help either. Any other ideas? What typically causes this seal to fail.

 

[Captianloud]

Re: 4.3L oil leak

If your certain the oil pan seal/gasket isn't the cause, its most likely the rear main seal. There is the sending unit behind the intake manifold up top sort of near the distributor, and the sending unit by the oil filter, and the oil pan one piece silicon gasket which you said you checked, the intake manifold which you said you already checked, there isn't anything else back ther besides the main seal. Of course one of the block plugs, like the one behind the cam or balance shaft could be the cause but thats real unlikely based on your vintage. The location of your drip sounds like a rear seal. Besides if its a rear main or a block plug you have to pull the engine either way... Funny thing is the rear seal is like $20......<br />What makes em go bad? time, overheating can vulcanize the rubber ( make it too stiff), the part of the crank the seal rides on can become rusty and eat the seal....<br />I just did a complete rebuild of a 4.3 you can see it here............I did not cover engine removal, but I will cover installation as it progresses.......<br /> http://users.adelphia.net/~chrisradvanyi/

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L oil leak

Ayuh,......... What He Said,............... <br /><br />And,... You've Found the Right Place,............. Welcome to the forums here at iboats.........