If a rear main seal is making your car leak oil...... :( ... would you get it fixed? G6 Pontiac already has like 237,000 miles .?

Question

Should I attempt to get it fix or should I just trade it in knowing it has a gas leak also... :) Tough decisions when you're trying to hold on to something for sad sentimental reasons..... :( Be nice this is a VERY serious yet sensitive subject.

Answer 1

The seal will be cheap if you can do it yourself.

Answer 2

Just for fun, replace your PCV valve. Often, a rear main seal or front crankshaft seal leaks oil if the engine crankcase can't hold a vacuum, but stops leaking if vacuum is restored. A well worn engine like yours may have enough piston ring blowby that the PCV system can't work. But sometimes it's the PCV valve.



Replacing a rear main seal is a rather laborious job. The seal is probably around $20.



Maybe your local high school auto shop class will do the labor. Or the nearby junior college auto mechanics program. Ask the teachers.



-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972

Answer 3

Only if you don't want the car to seize up without additional notice.

Answer 4

We have a 1998 model car that we have owned for 17yrs. It has given us very little trouble in that time, but is starting to need work now. We always said that when it cost too much to repair we will dispose of it. The thing is, what are you going to buy that you know the history of like your car? I know what has been done to mine, and what has not. Unless you are buying a new car, you are getting something someone else didn't want anymore. Shop around for prices on the rear main, it is always made to sound like it is a massive job, but it is not really when a mechanic has a hoist etc. Cars are worth nothing between about 15 and 25yrs old, then they start to have value again. It's up to you whether you want to keep old faithful or buy something newer.

Answer 5

Time for a new Pontiac or should I say Chev?

Answer 6

Economically speaking the car isn't worth fixing.



Only you can decide how much money you want to put into it for sentimental reasons. But I'll say that keeping a car for sentimental reasons is a losing proposition. Its only going to get older and worse & worse condition, and the first time some moron bumps into you their insurance is going to declare it a total loss because they won't recognize the sentimental value in determining whether or not to pay for repairs.



Letting go of your first car is hard, especially when you have lots of memories associated with it. But pouring money into a junker just because it holds memories isn't wise.

Answer 7

I would just keep adding oil. To repair it would be hundreds of dollars, a quart of oil is $5.

Answer 8

If you have a place to store it, you could just keep it for the sentimental value to you. But as far as fixing it, with that kind of mileage, it's certainly not worth fixing to drive.

Answer 9

That depends on how much oil the motor is leaking. I'd be checking the valve cover gaskets before condemning a rear main seal. Gm has had more trouble with valve cover gaskets and oil pressure warning light sending units leaking oil then main seals.

It's a car. Getting sentimental about a piece of metal is lame. It's not like it's a pet or something.

Answer 10

Just scrap the old wreck and buy a new car.

Answer 11

There is Red Devil rear mains fixer. Try it, first.



If your Pontiac has a V6 FWD setup like my Chevy; wrenches want $1800 to fix a $5 seal made out of Rope!



I will get around to fixing it myself I will also glue a round lip-type seal over the crank end as added[protection.May as well replace clutch while I am in there..

Answer 12

The gas leak is dangerous. Address that or park it.