Replacing a rear main seal is a surprisingly costly job. If you’ve got this problem in your vehicle it can be a difficult decision as to whether or not it’s worth having the job done. How bad is driving with a rear main? How much longer will this car last if we do complete this repair? Do I have any other options? These questions all factor into whether or not rear main seal replacement cost is worth paying for your vehicle. In this article, we’ll talk about why the rear main seal replacement cost may be what it is on your vehicle, how to decide if it’s worth spending that kind of money on your car, and if you have any other alternatives.
First, it’s important to understand where the costs of a rear main seal replacement come from. The rear main seal for vehicle probably costs less than $50 so when you receive a repair estimate for hundreds of dollars it can be a little confusing. The majority of the cost of replacing a rear main seal comes from the long hours of labor that it will take to actually replace the seal, but there is also added costs in peripheral gaskets, seals, and components that need to be replaced during the job.
Unfortunately, the labor costs cannot be changed from car to car. No matter how good of a mechanic you have, replacing a rear main seal is a long job and is going to cost a lot. Rear main seal replacements always necessitate removing the transmission from the motor and almost always require removing the motor from the vehicle as well. Removing the motor and/or transmission is always a lengthy job as it requires removing lots of accessories, wires, and hoses that need to be carefully labeled. Removing components this large also usually requires specialized equipment.
When replacing a rear main seal, you also end up with some other things you need to replace. For example, you usually have to remove the oil pan so you will need a new gasket to reinstall that. Also, you may consider replacing some other components while you have your vehicle taken that far apart. Replacing things like your front crank seal or even your clutch if you have a manual transmission can make sense as it will save you lots of labor costs in the future.
Once you’ve got a handle on the rear main seal replacement cost for your vehicle, you’ve got to decide if it’s money you want to spend. Driving with a rear main seal can be very dangerous as it can cause a low oil level very quickly. Low oil levels lead to permanent engine damage and even more costly repairs so it is not recommended. Also, oil leaks always leave an oily mess under your car that can increase the cost of future repairs and possibly damage wiring and sensors. For these reasons, it’s important to consider stopping the rear main seal leak as quickly as possible. It is also worth considering the value of your vehicle to make sure you’re not spending more than vehicle’s value in repairs.
When looking at the rear main seal replacement cost it’s also important to consider other options. One option you may not know about is simply reconditioning the rear main seal in your vehicle. This is a much less expensive option to replacement as you save the cost of both parts and labor. The best way to recondition the rear main seal in your vehicle is to use BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer. BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer is a special conditioner designed to restore your rear main seal to its original shape, size and sealing ability saving you money and keeping your engine safe.
For more information about BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer, click on the banner below!
You can find BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer at any of our partnering local auto parts stores like:
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rear_main_seal.jpg – By Irina Vodneva – Licensed by Getty Images – Original link
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
14 responses to "Rear Main Seal Replacement Cost"
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The rear main seal is leaking so I got a few estimates on the repair, my NAPA guy showed me to your product line and said the rear main sealer will work, so I figure why not a quick fix, I changed the oil and added a bottle and it did work or at least slowed it down for about a week, so I went and got another bottle and put it in, that worked for another week or so then it started leaking again. Just my luck, ya know? Hey we tried.
John-
About how many miles did you go in between applications of the product? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I had a rebuilt transmission performed on my 2007 Ford Explorer… The day they were to replace the transmission someone called that they need to replace the rear engine seal also…. I figured that a seal was cheap. They charged me 250.00 on top of the transmission rebuild. Is a
that a overcharge for just a seal? Thanks!
Andrew-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. The seal itself is very inexpensive, unfortunately, it is a very labor intensive job, which is where the majority of the cost comes from. It would have involved having to remove the transmission in order to replace the rear main seal. The amount you were charged for having the rear main seal replaced actually sounds like it’s more on the low end.
Thank you!
-BDP
1991 Chevy pickup rear seal issue what’s the cost without labor
Rae,
Thanks for your question about your 1991 Chevy. If all you have wrong with your engine is a bad rear main seal then the cost of the seal should be between $20 and $100 dollars depending on what kind of seal you get. Often times when you change a rear main seal, the motor gets pulled out and other parts, like the oil pan, will get removed also and need new gaskets so the parts cost can add up significantly depending on what else you choose to replace along the way.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hello. I just heard about your product and would like your opinion. I have a 1999 Honda Accord and it has an engine leak. I tried Bars Stop Leak (2 x 11oz cans). However, after driving 220 miles I still have a leak. Do you think it would be worth trying Blue Devil, since Bars Leak did not do the job? I am thinking about having my mechanic go ahead and change the seal for about $600 he says. I would appreciate your honest opinion.
Charles-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. How quickly are you losing oil? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Will this work on a rope seal in a 1970 Pontiac? I rebuilt the engine but then let it sit for 12 years. Now that I’m back running it, I’ve got a minor leak. I’m considering doing a new seal but thought this may save me a weekend and some cursing. Thanks
Sean-
The BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer is only intended to treat rubber seals. It would not have any effect on a rope seal. Replacing the seal may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
Have 1999 Explorer V6 SOHC with 150K miles. Leak started about 6 months ago. Yesterday mechanic said it was rear seal. Estimated 10-12 hours labor. Should I start Red Devil or keep adding oil?
Bernard-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer. As long as you are not losing oil too quickly, you would be a good candidate for the product. You should expect to see results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello. My 2001 Nissan xterra is leaking oil and was told today I need a rear engine seal. Costing 900-1000. Would your product work? Mechanic said I only have about a month of use.
Mary-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Xterra. As long as you are not losing oil too quickly, you would be a good candidate for the BlueDevil Rear Main Sealer. You should expect to start seeing results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP