I just was told by an oil change place that my rear main seal is leaking.I noticed oil on my driveway. I have the 2006 LT with the 2.2 engine. I just turned 138K on it.I really don't want to put a thousand plus in it because of the miles on it. Is it ok to drive it this way? Are there any oil additives that slow down the leak.

 

Well if it is in fact a leaking rear main seal, it will get progressively worse.

If you have a manual transmission, the oil will eventually ruin the clutch as it becomes oil soaked as slips itself into oblivion.

If you have an automatic, the leak will be an annoyance, but it will not disable the vehicle unless you're not vigilant in checking your oil.

I would be hesitant to trust a diagnosis from a "Quicky Lube" type of place, take it in to your dealer or mechanic for a proper check.

Additives are a temporary measure at best, most of them are designed to cause the seals to "swell" thereby stopping the leak....for a little while at the most.

 

X2 on what Mike posted above.

I would also take a look above the rear main area. Sometimes a higher up leak (like the valve cover area) will leak out and the oil will make it's way down to the bottom of the engine on the outside.
Look it over real good.

 

X3 rear main seal is one of the most misdiagnosed seals. most oil change places don't pay to have certified techs. I would check into it further before jumping into a rear main seal.

 

when the weather allows, shampoo the engine and see where the leak is! Mine was just run down from the oil fill tube to the valve cover, simple and easy fix!

 

thanks everyone for your suggestions. It was not leaking when I left Michigan to drive down to florida. It was a two 12 hour days of driving. that is the longest road trip I have driven the hhr sense having all the miles on the engine. Up until then it was all town driving.

 

My wife's '06 with the 2.4 is also leaking oil. Other posts indicate it is an oil pressure sending unit, which is mounted right above the starter. AC Delco part at Advanced Auto is about $15. I'm gonna try that first before even thinking about a rear main seal. It would have to almost have to be losing a LOT of oil before I would consider doing a rear main seal. THAT would require dropping the trans or pulling the engine. BIG $$$$$!!!!

Will let everyone know my results.
Joe

 

Eyeballs and LED flashlights are your best friends. Along with oil solvent and rags. Some would say use ultra violet oil dye.

Find what you are chasing before you throw money at it. Fortune cookie.

 

Exact same issue on my '07 with the 2.2L engine and about 127,500 miles. Asked my trusty mechanic to examine the oil pressure sending unit but turns out it's the rear main seal. He is going to charge about $500 to repair it.

Started leaking with no warnings; just a 6" blob on the garage floor two weeks ago.