Oil stop leak addatives

I have exactly the same problem on my Nissan 4.2, and it is only 2 years since I did the rear main seal and clutch. I 100 percent sure it won't do any harm more likely it will do nothing.

I am going to replace the PCV (crankcase ventilation) just in case crankcase pressure is an issue- the car runs on a bit as well- add some RESTORE Engine Restorer for now. New clutch and seal next year.

David

Giday Dave,
Oil Stop Leak has allways worked for me in the past, more so with minor leaks.
Im talking about a variety of old bombs Ive owned in the past but go with the better known brands. Remember the old WA Salvage mob, I bought a bottle of muck that was supposed to stop all leaks and fully recondition your engine for $2......Silly Me.....lol.

Main seals can weep for years and the loss of oil is minimal. Doesnt even register on the dipstick.
Even if, in the future, the oil somehow reaches the clutch, small amounts will burn off as the clutch is engaged a few times.

Another trick is to keep your oil level just below the level of the seal. This will take a fair bit of trial and error but eases the problem.

I havent noticed any ill effects on motors I have used the stuff on in the past but have never owned a Deisel. That could be a different story but I doubt it.

In any event, its still only a matter of time before the problem has to be addressed.

Cheers......Lionel.

get outmore,
if you don't want the oil to "get outmore" (couldn’t resist) use some *stop leak* yes it works, get the dear one, is only a few $$ more than the copies, it states on the container it replenishes the oil seal from memory.

I had the same problem with my diesel motor rear main seal, bought and still have the $60 seal but removing the auto gearbox is an absolute mongrel job from underneath a Hyace so I used *stop leak* a few years ago now for 2 or 3 oil changes and now the oil's not get out (no) more :-)

Maîneÿ . . .

With limited knowledge on this but some experience, I would suggest doing it.
I have used Stop Oil Leak and it has worked fine.
I had a rear diff seal leak in an old Rodeo, gearbox leak in a Mu, and sump leak ages ago in a HQ 308V8, all lasted for over a year with no further leaks.
Also fixed a cracked head in a Camry with some aluminium repair gunk that lasted a few months until I traded the car.
From what I read the oil leak stuff softens the rubber seals so they swell a bit and seal better than old scabby hardened rubber, and small cracks are sealed by the softened rubber expanding.
I don't know that I'd trust it for remote trips, but around populated areas with safety and recovery reasonably near at hand, what can you lose?
Cheers

Well someone had to put the counter argument.

I would pull the box and do the repairs. The stop leak won't fix the gearbox or clutch, so yo have to pull them out to fix anyway. Once you have gone that far it should not be a major cost to replace the rear main seal.

I have had two rear main seals fail. The thing is that you don't see it happening. On both occasions I found out when the clutch started to slip. Had it not been for rain I would have been in the bush when it happened to the GQ.

As others have said the stop leak works by softening and expanding the material the seal is made from. In a high friction area that is going to increase the wear and cause the seal to fail again in the not to distant future. Remember this stuff is not discriminatory it will affect all the seals in the engine softening them and causing leaks that don't currently exist.

Finally I am not familiar with the problems in 80 series gear boxes but from my experience most gear change problems are caused by the clutch not working properly or oil related probs, low oil, old oil or poor quality/wrong grade oil, in the gearbox. A new clutch and new oil in the gearbox should make a huge difference.

Duncs

Had my rear main seal done on my 75 series, along with the thrust bearing as it was shot. Cost $800. But as i was selling the vehicle to a mate i needed it done. My leak was minimal too, but any leak is a leak, and when driving through water its gonna kill animals. Remember just 1 litre of oil contaminates 1 million litres of water.