04TL Rear Main Seal + Tranny Removal - anything else to repair?
 

My 04TL, original owner, has about 270k miles on it and has developed a leak. Routine local mechanic identified a Rear Main Seal that is producing a leak. To access the part to replace, the Transmission needs to be removed which shoots up the labor cost.

Since the transmission is being temporarily removed, is there anything I should have my Transmission shop look/replace since the tranny will be out of the way? Engine mounts? I've read in prior threads the PCV valve should be replaced for good measure?

This same transmission shop did my rebuild a couple years ago so they should be familiar with the work.

Thanks guys

Shiet.. i would honestly just try replacing hte PCV valve to see if that fixes it first before dropping the trans.. also at the price to do said drop, i'd just buy oil and fill her up all the time.

Last year I had the clutch done on my 2006 and did the following while the transmission (and subframe) were down:

• Rear Main Oil Seal
• All three engine mounts
• All three transmission mounts (there are only two for cars with automatic transmissions)
• Stabilizer Bar bushings
• Stabilizer Bar end links

if your steering rack need to be replace, this is a good time to do so.

Unless it is just dumping oil, I would hold out till another major maintenance item comes about that requires this much labor effort....like when your trans finally fails. Your PCV is a 5 minute job. Try it first to see if things improve.

I concur.

I'm taking the same approach to my front main seal as well as the front cam seals.

I had the transmission out on my 07 AV6 last year. I had the transmission rebuilt, torque converter clutch was wearing out; changed front anti-sway bar bushings, and changed out the rear main seal. There is a rear power steering hose that's very hard to get to usually, you might have to change that out. Although I was able to change that by hovering over the engine with a piece of cardboard.

I typed up a reply to this, but I must have forgot to hit the post button. Pretty much what's already been said:

1. 1st, replace the PCV valve
2. If it's not leaving drops on the pavement, I'd leave it alone and see what happens. Sometimes these rear main seal leaks fix themselves. Mine did.

Add...
Torque converter o-ring
Transmission seal
Both axle seals

+1

It's usually not worth the labor and unlike a manual trans car you do have to worry about the clutch disk getting contaminated.

Try a high-mileage oil. They often help.

Thanks for the numerous replies guys, much appreciated.

I went to a local shop who only does Honda/Acura and was told he's seen it often with the TL - and since I recently did an oil change it may have introduced the leak and it appears to be from the oil pan. Not the Rear Main Seal. He accessed a lower access panel near the transmission to peak into the Rear Seal and it shows no oil in about that area. Was advised due to the age of the car, wait till a major issue comes up that would warrant the removal of the Tranny instead, as many of you already have suggested.

Ill just be monitoring my oil levels. Its not gushing out - just a slow leak. Thanks everyone.

It'll never happen, modern torque converter equipped hydraulic automatic transmissions are just too hard on the ATF. Now, that isn't to say a long life/high mileage automatic isn't possible, it certainly is.

It could very well be the oil pump gasket that's leaking down to the oil pan. THAT's fairly common.