2018 with Leaking Rear Main Seal

Was under the truck today, 5.7 non FFV, to lube front drive shaft, noticed oil on bell housing at weep hole, smells and feels like engine oil. Anyone else seen this issue on a 2018. Have 31,000 miles, with some towing.

 

On a side note, I didn't think the 18's had grease-able drive shafts. I know mine doesn't.

 

Mine has them on front shaft

 

Check this:

https://gobdp.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-rear-main-seal-is-leaking/

 

I looked all over after discovering the oil on the bell housing, no oil appears on oil pan or from the cam towers. Got appointment today with Toyota, I suspect they will add leak detecting fluid and have me come back for them to check. It feels and smells like engine oil.

 

My 2010 had the rear main seal replaced twice. Don’t remember the mileage, but one was under factory warranty and other under extended warranty. So I feel you. It does happen with this drive train.

 

Try some ATP

$15 AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT-205 Re-Seal in the oil, it can't hurt anything and it may stop the leak.

 

That stuff is not a good idea. The product works by swelling the seal for a tighter fit but the seal is compromised and will eventually fail again. The issue is that the chemical has the same result on every other seal in the motor.

 

I've never read anything about it swelling rubber seals, do you have a link to any documentation?

 

And also, looks like OP’s ride is still under warranty...let the dealership fix it.

 

How do you think it repairs the seal, magic. Google it.

 

Lol, that's a non-answer.
My searches reveal no problems.

That being said, a warranty repair at the dealer is what is required here.

 

My rear main was leaking on my 2017. Toyota found the problem was the second oil pan. It was deformed from the factory and leaking down to that location. Had to pull the motor to get to it. But they replaced it and I haven’t had any problems since.

 

Second oil pan?!

 

There is an upper and lower oil pan. I assume he meant that the upper was leaking.

 

Pretty sure my rear main is leaking too

 

They kept my truck, they said definitely there is a leak, put me in a 2019 Tacoma TRD on their nickel, why they free up a master tech to pull the transmission/transfer. No bull shit about adding tracer fluid and having me bring it back.

 

Yes the upper. Toyota said they have a lot of imperfections with the molds. They ordered 2 and one was worse than the leaky one!!!

 

They ae telling me I won't get my truck back until the middle of next week, I guess their master techs are not working overtime, or there is more non-warranty work to keep them busy. I'll just keep driving their loaner Tacoma's wheels off.

 

There was a problem on certain years of Tuundra that had a problems with couple of locating dowels that are used to position the rear main seal housing. The supplier of the dowels had made them slightly to long and they prevented the rear main housing from sitting flush with the block and would cause the leak. Make sure you mention that to them when they remove the tranny because if they just just change the rear seal you could still have the leak.

 

Dang, that's good info @Ruggybuggy. Only way to find that out is to be in the bizness.

 

Yes, but is it covered by warranty, or will you find out later you have a very expensive Taco rental?

 

It's warranty, truck is 2018 with 31,000.

 

Ah, yeah, I had yours confused with a concurrent thread with leaking rear main @ 98K+. For that, Toyota is going to need to accept the blame.

Congrats. Great news, and good service (Taco loaner).

 

very good info!

 

Great Info in this thread.

 

I got my truck back on Saturday, they said the rear seal retainer plate was leaking, not the seal itself, they resealed it. Time will tell, I'll watch the bell housing for a leak.

 

Did they replace the dowels? That's exactly what happens when the defective dowels are installed. I would have had them replace the rear main seal as well. Might as well start with a new seal even if I had to pay for the part.

 

High quality information here...thank you very much.

Do you know what years were primarily affected?

 

I'm sorry I dont recall but thought it was 2018. I remember a customer had bought a new Tundra and after she drove it for a couple of months the truck was dripping oil on the driveway. When it came in we verified the leak and Toyota confirmed a problem with the dowel locating pins manufactured slightly too long. New pins were sent and the problem was fixed but the customer still didn't want the truck back and insisted on a new one. We had a few after that but Toyota corrected the problem quickly.