Hi fellow members. I just took my '05 coupe to my local Chrysler dealership for their full diagnostic check-up. It passed with flying colors except for what they said was an oil leak at the main engine seal. Now the car has only 27,000 miles on it and there has never been a single drop of oil on my garage floor. Since the last oil change(4,000 miles ago) The level has remained the same so I haven't had to add to it. I looked at it and saw no leaks any where. The "so called tech" said the cost would be $825.00 plus tax to fix. Now I've got the 8yr. or 80,000mi. warrenty with almost 2 yrs. left, and he said it's not covered because it's not a major component of the power train. Am I being jerked around? Either way, I said no way to them and took my "Baby" home. 3 days later, not a single drop of oil on my garage floor. Your opinions would be highly appreciated.

 

There is a plastic shield under the engine that should collect any leaking oil. I believe it's four 8mm screws to remove it and you can check for yourself for signs of leaking oil. I would confirm the leak first.

 

Here's another thing to think about if you don't change your own oil...oil will collect on top of that belly pan, shield under the engine...and will make it look as if the main seal is leaking....I haven't heard of anyone on here having a main seal leak, not once...tranny will leak, and there is a TSB from Chrysler on that....I would do as suggested and look first...

 

My opinion ?
Find another tech before you get burned.

 

Rear main seals do on occasion leak but they would most certainly be part of the powertrain warranty. I honestly have no idea how it couldn't be considered powertrain but sounds like the dealer is trying to pull one over on you.

 

Thanks all for your input. I'll let you know how things turn out.

 

I would drop that oil splash pan, and if dirty, or oily, clean it up nice and spiffy.

Don't forget to look up at the underside of the engine with the pan dropped, and check for oil and residue. And clean that up also, if necessary.

Put the pan back and run the car under normal conditions for a while.

You now have a clean reference point to go back in at a later date and visually inspect.

I know that when my Valve covers were leaking oil, I never noticed an oil drop via the dip stick, or oil on my garage floor.

But when I dropped the pan, oil was caked onto the inside of the pan, and I could see oil on the underside of the engine.

Get under that car, clean it up if necessary, and start from a clean reference point.

That's what I would do before changing anything...

BTW...Just noticed your Bklyn location...I'm in Queens, so we're almost neighbors...we should hook up sometime in the near future...and compare rides...

 

Thanks Kodebuster, good advice, neighbor. I just can't understand why this seal isn't considered part of the power train. Potential buyer coming to see it. I'll keep you posted.

 

I would find out the number and name of the factory rep. and ask him to suggest a good dealer in your area. A main seal is certainly part of the power train.