2001 EX-V6 blew the main oil seal?

Anyone else have this happen? I had a big puddle of oil under the car and
found out it was the main seal. $600 fix. $10 seal and the rest labor.
Transmission had to be dropped.

Car only has 126k on it. Never had a problem like this before and I usually
put close to 200k on them before trading/selling.

G-Man

 

You are scaring me.i have 124,000 kms. on my v6-ex right now.
Tell me you had a bad dream,right?

 

More like an "F"ing nightmare!

What can I say, othere than scheduled maintenance, it's the only money I've
ever spent on the car.

G-Man

 

Seal failures can happen anywhere, anytime. Sorry about it happening to you,
right then.

Mike

 

I'll let you know in 9,000 miles (you're talking miles and not km, correct?)
as I have the same exact vehicle, currently at 117,000 miles.

 

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Make sure the PCV is not stuck open / closed, or you might get to do it
all over again, later.

'Curly'

 

Disclaimer: I'm a computer engineer not a automobile designer/mechanic.
However, I believe I went thru something related to this on my older Volvo.

For a seal to "blow" there has to be something to produce the pressure
to "blow" it. Correct me if I'm wrong but seals that wear out just start
leaking faster and faster; more and more leakage but not a "blow out" as
mentioned.

So what would cause a blow out? As best as I can guess: it either fell
out or was pushed out by pressure. Let's assume it didn't fall out. What
would cause pressure?

How about the PVC (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve? If the PVC
valve stops working then the blow-by from the cylinders has no where to
go. This means pressure in the crankcase builds up and presses on the seals.

My experience: my Volvo had started leaking oil out of the top of the
engine (yes top!) from the oil filler cap. I replaced the oil filler cap
seal several times but it continued to leak. I kept asking myself "why
would oil leak out the top?". Finally I figured out I had a clogged
flame trap (Volvo's equivalent to a PVC valve). I had that replaced
(quite cheap) and no more leaking!

Maybe you had a blow out because your PVC valve was clogged. Had you
ever replaced it?

 

Good point, Brian. Although I have had seals that failed suddenly like that
(I don't know why) the crankcase ventilation is a real concern.

Mike

 

Good advice guys. I'm going to replace the PCV valve today if I can find it


When I say BLEW, I have no idea of the condition. I just know it failed.
But it's not worth risking again for a $25 part.

I will say I noticied it after a 6 hour drive and 70-80 mph speeds. That
would certainly puts it if the PCV was clogged.

G-Man

 

Okay, PCV replaced...peace of mind anyway.

G-Man

 

Sometimes this faster and faster happens so fast that it seems like a blow
out. I've seen this a few times with rear main seals. The output if the
crank is spinning pretty fast inside the seal.... so all you need is a
little, tiny failure and the spinning crankshaft can make quick work of it.

Now on a seal that is for stationary parts (like an oil pan gasket) you
would be more likely to have a more gradual leak that grows bigger.