Shop claims oil leak "moved" to rear main seal. Magic or possible?

[Chrisynd]

Hello folks,

You guys may remember me from this post.

Quick synopsis of related issue from the previous post mentioned above: 1993 Camry 4-cyl, Auto; taken in to local shop for nasty oil leak (1qt/2 weeks) - shop declared leak was from crank seal - shop did full timing belt service.

Anyway, surprise, surprise - lot's of problems since that shop "accomplished" the work. She's had to take it back due to the oil leak not being fixed. Once apparently the oil pan was still leaking after they replaced the seal and once because the oil pump gasket was apparently leaking after they replaced that.

Now, for the third time, apparently it is leaking from the rear main seal. This was an issue that the owner specifically said must be checked before doing ANY service originally; I recommended this to the owner because I was worried if they did the full timing belt service and the only other major leak source (rear main seal [since the valve cover gasket was recently done]) was indeed leaking, doing the full timing belt service was a waste and might as well junk the car. Well now we're here with ~$900 in work done on a 215k beater which is still leaking, apparently, from the rear main seal.

The shop claims the "oil leak moved" to the rear main seal and it wasn't leaking there when originally brought in. That "leaks can move because pressure increases when other leaks are fixed". This sounds like complete BS to me and they don't want to admit they screwed up and didn't properly check the rear main seal before doing all this work. I'm fairly certain that in order for a leak to cause a pressure differential that would be enough to be relevant, it'd have to be a significant hole, leaking significantly more, pouring out of the damn thing.

Suggestions on next steps, how to deal with this shop? (Richmond, VA)

[JohnGD]

If there is vacuum leak, then you can develop a rather nasty oil leak. Oil can seep out of distributors and sensors. Been there, seen that.

The rear main seal is usually made of a better material like Viton rubber. But over the years that will leak too.

The best way is probably add UV dye and see where the newest is coming from.

[Zviator]

Originally Posted by Chrisynd

a 215k beater which is still leaking

Sorry for the headache, keep in mind that the seals are rubber and just like verything else of a 215k beater, they ages.

[500KCamry]

If the crank seals were leaking that much, you'd see it under the car and it would be easy to tell whether fron front or rear.

Another source that can cause a fair amount is the valve cover, you'd see a lot of oil over the rear of the engine. Check the spark plug tube nuts hoding down the cover and see if they are tight.

[Chrisynd]

I was mainly looking for comments on if its really possible for the oil leak to "move" (as far as I know, the crankcase shouldn't have any significant pressure - where replacing one dead seal would cause another almost dead seal to give way). I was also looking for ways I should deal with this shop.

Thanks for your comments!

[jeffbreeden]

Although this post is a month plus old, what shop were you using in Richmond? I also live in Richmond and have found some shops to be better than others

[Chrisynd]

Thread is only a few days old, ha.

Standard Auto Center, Nine Mile Road.

[stockmover]

I believe I have an oil leak from the rear seal, what type of cost would I be looking at for something like this to be repaired? Just curious, its a small leak but I need to get it done before I repave my driveway.

Thanks,

Stockmover

95 Camry 4cyl 198,xxx miles

[Chrisynd]

Stockmover,

Probably over a grand - have to drop the tranny to get to the rear main seal.

[stockmover]

Thanks for the swift reply.

Wow, not even worth getting fixed for me. Are there any remedies, I tried the stop leak stuff and it worked for a few days but started back again, although its not as much as it used to be, just a few drops and I check the oil daily, its still close to full from the last oil change.

Originally Posted by Chrisynd

Stockmover,

Probably over a grand - have to drop the tranny to get to the rear main seal.