FWIW, we find most "leaking" rear mains really aren't. It is usually the CAS o-ring running all the way down, or occasionally a head gasket (if a 1.6). Pretty sure we've never seen a rear main brg fail by itself. I agree with Ray that a failing rear main brg would cause the seal to fail, just don't recall seeing it happen on a Miata.
Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad www.flyinmiata.com www.fmwestfield.com orders 1-800-FLY-MX5S Before you call our tech line (970.464.5600) please check out the FAQ <http://www.flyinmiata.com/FAQ/> section of our website Don't miss Flyin' Miata's Open House! Aug 14-17, 2008 ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ray Ayala Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 10:04 AM To: Robert McElwee Cc: miatapower List Subject: Re: Tips for Installing a new rear main seal ??? Changing the main bearings, any of them, requires pulling the pan. Once that's off you might as well replace all of the main and rod bearings because they're all probably equally worn. It's always possible though rather unlikely that the rear seal was just defective, and it can be changed when the flywheel is off. And while the trans is out its also easy measure how far the crank can move in a the fore/aft direction to check the thrust bearing wear ... a separate possible (and fairly common) problem. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert McElwee <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Ray Ayala <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: miatapower List <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:47 PM Subject: Re: Tips for Installing a new rear main seal ??? Hmmm, how do I know if the bearing is gone? After changing the clutch/pilot a few years ago I immediately started getting a slight "bearing noise" while decelerating. I haven't noticed it much lately but I am sure it is still there. The car has 105K miles on it and started leaking about 5K (6 months) ago. I am not a gear head and not exactly sure what changing the rear main bearing entails. Is this something that can/should be done when I change this seal. On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 12:38 AM, Ray Ayala <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: FWIW (and YMMV) rear engine seals don't usually go bad until prompted to by a worn out rear main bearing. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert McElwee <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Ray Ayala <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: miatapower List <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 9:20 PM Subject: Re: Tips for Installing a new rear main seal ??? Rear engine seal (I hope). Oil coming from the weep hole in the bell housing. I'm half a quart down right now on the engine oil so I am assuming that is it. I guess we will find out when we pull it. Definitely not CAS o-ring (recently replaced) due to the weep hole leak. On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 10:46 PM, Ray Ayala <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Rear engine seal or front trans seal? (or CAS o-ring?) ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert McElwee <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: miatapower List <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 2:07 PM Subject: Tips for Installing a new rear main seal ??? My oil leak is getting a little worse and I think I am close to pulling the seal and replacing it. I have had a new seal laying around forever but have been too lazy to pull the tranny and do the work. I know how to pull the tranny but anyone have tip for pulling the seal or replacing it? Just looking for any little tricks you guys may have up your sleeve... -- Robert McElwee and Blue Flash "The 40 MPG Miata" www.lightweightmiata.com/mpg Lightweight Miata Forum: www.lightweightmiata.com/forum The Miata Trailer Project: www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer ________________________________ _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower -- Robert McElwee and Blue Flash "The 40 MPG Miata" www.lightweightmiata.com/mpg Lightweight Miata Forum: www.lightweightmiata.com/forum The Miata Trailer Project: www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer -- Robert McElwee and Blue Flash "The 40 MPG Miata" www.lightweightmiata.com/mpg Lightweight Miata Forum: www.lightweightmiata.com/forum The Miata Trailer Project: www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer
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