I have an 06 base 3G TL that has a rear main seal leek AND an oil pump leak. This is based on what the dealer is telling me. They diagnosed this one year ago and so far my oil level remains steady and no oil drips or puddles on the ground. However I believe there is a cover under the engine that may prevent it from actually leaking onto the ground. I do occasionally smell oil burning, but it's subtle and infrequent. Other than the slight smell of burning oil, I have no idea how bad my leak really is.

The dealer said a year ago that it was real BAD. So if I take their findings at face value, I need to lay down big money ASAP to avoid some sort of catastrophic failure while on the freeway or something. Unfortunately I have no time DIY this so I'm gonna have to bring it in...eventually. So my question is, since the oil has not leaked to the ground outside of the bottom cover, no rapid loss of oil, no clanking sounds, does anyone think I'm good for a while longer? At what point should I be rushing in to have these seals replaced?

 

If oil level is steady, screw it.

 

unless you see oil spot on the ground, there are no need to replace them right away (UNLESS you are super paranoid about it) my RL has drip spot on the ground and even that doesn't cause any oil drop in level, I will wait until the next oil change to address the rear main seal.