Slight overfill should not have caused this...however, I've seen a rear
main 'pop out' slightly if the motor revs too high while the oil is cold.

The easiest fix is to pull the motor. You can do it in an afternoon if you
have all your tools together when you start. R/R of an engine usually runs
about $500/$600 if you pay someone to do it.

Cheers.

G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Jesse Falsone [SMTP:falsonej@NICHOLS.COM]
Sent:   Monday, November 22, 1999 1:32 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        oil leak from rear main seal?

My '83 AC Vanagon is leaking oil, presumably from the rear main seal
from what I can see.  The leak is most prominent after prolonged
operation, but it eventually stops when the engine cools.  The engine
was rebuilt about 5 years ago (rear main replaced), but has only about
30K on the rebuild.  Regardless of the leak, it runs great.  My
questions are:

1) Could a slight overfill of the crankcase oil have caused this?

2) Is there any reasonable way to remedy the problem without yanking the
engine and replacing the seal?  RTV?

Thanks

Jesse Falsone
Annapolis, MD