I have the engine out of the car to replace the oil pan gasket. and do some detailing.

Question is my 89000 mile 305 has the factory 1 piece Rear main seal that is not leaking.

Since the engine is out should I:

1. Replace because it is there in front of me. (Risk possible leak with new seal. It has happened to me once....)

or

2. Leave the seal alone since it is not leaking and take my chances that it will not leak in the future?

What do you experieced engine wrench heads think?

 

I had planned on replacing mine when I had the engine out at 141k for the upgrades. However, I couldn't get the flexplate bolts loose (still puzzled over that one), so I just left it. Currently 166k miles, still doesn't leak.

 

if it ain't broke, don't fix it, your just inviting problems with it

 

I say change it. It only takes 5 minutes. Better to do it now than to pull the trans out a month down the road if it decides to start leaking.

 

Cost for a rear seal is fairly low, I go 1982t-topTA, change it.

 

I also vote for change it. seals do wear and I'd say the chance of new one leaking is still less than the chance of old one leaking (if not now than in 20k miles). This is especially true if new seal is not installed with a screw driver, but that's a different dodge neon story.

And look at it this way, right now it costs you few bucks more and 15 minutes. If it starts leaking later, you'd still have to do the same work of pulling the tranny.

 

another vote to change it... i think the chances of it not leaking after replacing it are better than potential leaks from wear and time with the old one.

KAM

 

if the engine is already out id change it along with any other gaskets you can while its easily accessable..

 

Change it, I change mine everytime I changed the clutch. Its like $8 and takes 3 minutes.

 

I guess I should have said: If I was using a petroleum-based engine oil (which I am not), I'd probably change it. A good synthetic engine oil will keep the seal pliable and reduce wear.

 

another advantage of synthetic