Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum If you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!

Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #1  
civicmusician94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civicmusician94 is an unknown quantity at this point
Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

hey everyone!
I just took my civic to get an Oil change and transmission flush today and the dealership informed me that my main seal was leaking. They quoted me about $1,085 to fix it. I also called up a smaller local repair shop and they quoted me $800. My civic is a 2002 LX with 156,000 miles on it. It is a great car but i don't know if i should put out that much money. Can anyone give me advice on what to do? or ways to just live with the leak? Thank you so much.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #2  
GolNat's Avatar
Prelude Owner
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,201
Likes: 357
From: DE
Rep Power: 244
GolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to beholdGolNat is a splendid one to behold
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

Is it paid for?

Do you like it?

Is it mechanically sound other then that?

How is the body holding up?
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #3  
sdaidoji's Avatar
PITA Admin
Administrator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 15,181
Likes: 1,606
From: TN
Rep Power: 368
sdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud ofsdaidoji has much to be proud of
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

if thats the one between engine and trans, better go ahead and have the clutch changed if not done for a while.
any car could suffer this one... maintenance... even your body needs it.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #4  
civicmusician94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civicmusician94 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

Yes it is totally paid for and besides that it is in great running shape.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #5  
ezone's Avatar
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 519
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

$1000 will buy an awful lot of oil.
How bad of a leak is it?

Unless it is just a horrendous leak that pours oil out faster than you can refill the engine (you DO check your oil regularly, correct?) or it is leaving puddles on your brand new concrete garage floor, I'd ignore it until it becomes necessary to pull the transmission out for some reason.

THEN it would make economic sense to go the next step further -- after the trans is out of the way.


I bet it's only a seep, if anything. At 150K +, seeps and stains are totally expected IMO.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #6  
civicmusician94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civicmusician94 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

It is just about 5-10 drops on the floor of my garage. How long will it take to become a really big problem do you think?
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #7  
ezone's Avatar
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 519
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

just about 5-10 drops on the floor of my garage.
Over how long a period of time?

5-10 drops per minute is a lot.
5-10 drops per month is not.

How rapidly does it lose oil: How often do you have to add a quart?

Has anyone cleaned the area thoroughly to see where and how the leak starts?
Could it be coming from elsewhere? Maybe runoff from an oil change?
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #8  
civicmusician94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civicmusician94 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

I just started to notice it a few days ago, it is about 5-10 drops every several hours. I have not needed to refill the oil yet because i went to get it changed and they told me the seal would need to be replaced and that the oil was very low.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #9  
ezone's Avatar
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 519
ezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond reputeezone has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

and that the oil was very low.
Sounds like you need to check the oil far more frequently so you can figure out how many miles it takes to lose a quart.
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2014
  #10  
civicmusician94's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
civicmusician94 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Need some advice on if i should replace the rear main seal on my civic!

I plan to now that i have noticed the leaking,i hadn't before.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dorval Andre
General 7th Gen
34
Jun 3, 2024 08:11 PM
LionSpratt
General Automotive Discussion
14
Jan 29, 2017 11:07 PM
Blaster30
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
8
Apr 22, 2015 12:21 PM
BREADFAN
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
0
Apr 15, 2015 08:58 AM
thesushiboy
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
6
Apr 12, 2015 02:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:49 PM.