Had the tranny out for a clutch R&R so decided to do oil pan gasket and main seal on my 250K+mile XJ. It was a rater oily beast so we figured it could use it. but it never leaked radically, there was just evidence of oil.

Now it leaks radically. pretty heavy drip from the rear of the engine.. the pan gasket really seams to be installed correctly so I am pretty sure it's coming from the rear main seal. I have read quite a few post where people talk about replacing the rear main seal and it doesn't seem to be a big deal. but in this case it seems to have cause a rather big leak. I don't really want to go back in and replace it till I know something I didn't know then. I feel like I would likely get the same results.

One thing crossed my mind, If my engine had been rebuilt, and the crank ground, would I need an over sized seal much like you run over sized bearings????

 

No you would not need a bigger seal,the seal is in the block and bearing cap.
Did you make sure all surfaces were cleaned? and did you put silicone on the lip of the bearing cap by accident? there should not be,it will cause bearing clearance issues and a leak.
It sounds to me like you need to replace it again.

 

oh I will replace it again.. just wanna make sure I get a different outcome this time. I will look to see if there is silicone on the cap.

S

 

did you put the cap seal in correctly?
the tabs should face the front of the engine. and add a little bit of rtv.

 

I'll let you know when it comes out!
S