[ninjamoses]

As some may have read in my build up thread, unfortunately it seems I've the rear main seal in my Vitara.

From the research I have done on it, it seems there are 2 special suzuki tools they highly recommend you use to fit the new seal for the 96 - 98 model cars. It only lists it as the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5 DOHC engines, so I have no idea if they are talking about the J20A or the V6 (or both?).

Technical bulletin about it here: http://www.jasperengines.com/pdf/Suzuki_Seals_TB.pdf

Has anyone replaced a rear main seal themselves on a J20A? Did you manage it without said special tools mentioned in the bulletin?

Does anyone have said tools I would be able to borrow for a few weeks?

[v.w.dave]

seall tools are nice but are not 100% needed.

you can use a tin can cut it down to size, a large socket, a pipe, I have even used scotch tape.
If you work the seal in your hand and warm it up it will also be much easier to slide on. much easier to show then tell.

[ninjamoses]

Thanks Dave, figured that might be the case.

I still haven't confirmed yet that it is definitely the rear main seal, but it seems likely at this stage. Will degrease it all tomorrow so I can identify exactly where its coming from.

Just threw it up on the ramps and took a few snaps of it.







This is a bit of a worry (cover on the bottom of the bell housing just behind the sump), although I don't think it would be related to the leak as that appears to be just an inspection plate/cover? Going to go look it up in the manual anyway...

[jonno_racing]

yeah id say rear main... is it engine oil? i had imput shaft seal let go on a box once, looked identical

[BJPK]

jonno_racing wrote:

yeah id say rear main... is it engine oil? i had imput shaft seal let go on a box once, looked identical

either way the box has to come out
just make sure it not leaking from higher up. can be hard to diagnose until its degreased.

[ninjadaniel]

the dizzy angle bracket can cause this exact leak, see if oil is pooled on top of the gearbox?

Remember to grease the inside and outside of the seal when fitting it, makes it slide in better ;)

[steak_knife]

Tha only Suzuki tool I have is a SDT scan tool, & yes you need a rear main seal, bin driveing in water lately??

[steak_knife]

jonno_racing wrote:

yeah id say rear main... is it engine oil? i had imput shaft seal let go on a box once, looked identical

[shandy92]

yeah looks like rear main.
mine is similar to this, but no way near this bad.

sorry to hijack, i have a light or clear oil under my gearbox (i think from the synthetic oil in the box) where would this be coming from?? what seal?

if ya need a hand Kris, let me know.

thanks
Mitch

[ninjamoses]

Thanks all for the replies. Haha yeah have been through a few mud holes recently. That'll teach me

Spent ages with the truck wash, degreaser and massojet today and got her all shiny again. Took the bellhousing inspection plate off and fired her up, and within a minute oil was dripping once again. Its definitely coming from within the bell housing, and its definitely engine oil, so rear main seal it is.

Thanks for the offer Mitch but should be right hopefully. Made a deal with my mate, I help him drop his fuel tank (he busted the fuel sender on Sunday) and he is going to help me drop the gearbox. Should be a fun weekend

[MrRocky]

I normally tap the old one out with a screwdriver and use a big socket to tap the new one in. Also you can put a very small amount of locktite around the outside of the new seal before it goes in, this helps set it in there and avoids it moving.

[ainzy]

pull the whole seal plate off and clean everything up real well drive the old seal out put a dribble of locktite on the outer edge of the seal and using a nice peice of wood just tap it in if you been through mud plenty of times have a good look at the shaft it may need a speedysleeve as well... suzuki recomends using chemical gaskit to seal the plate back on with but i made a gaskit out of gaskit paper... heaps better in my oppinion... i did this like last month

[whib]

yeah looks like rear main.
mine is similar to this, but no way near this bad.

sorry to hijack, i have a light or clear oil under my gearbox (i think from the synthetic oil in the box) where would this be coming from?? what seal?

if ya need a hand Kris, let me know.

thanks
Mitch

Hey Mitch,
I had this too for a long time, only just got around to fixing it this week. On the top of the gearbox on the passenger side u can reach up, just rearward of the reverse sensor thingie there is a hole, which is meant to have a rubber bung in it, mine fell out, i got one off a wreck and siliconed it back in. i think you can also tap a bolt into stop it, but i had not much room to see even with a body lift.
gearbox fluid will just be sepping out of this hole and finding its way to the bottom of the box,

[MrRocky]

there is a seal and gasket or sorts in the bellhousing, you have to remove the thrust bearing and cover the input comes out of. The seal is easy and just clean and goo up the housing and put back together.

[shandy92]

whib wrote:

Hey Mitch,
I had this too for a long time, only just got around to fixing it this week. On the top of the gearbox on the passenger side u can reach up, just rearward of the reverse sensor thingie there is a hole, which is meant to have a rubber bung in it, mine fell out, i got one off a wreck and siliconed it back in. i think you can also tap a bolt into stop it, but i had not much room to see even with a body lift.
gearbox fluid will just be sepping out of this hole and finding its way to the bottom of the box,

hmmm thanks, i will have a look when i get a chance.

thanks heaps, its much appreciated.

Mitch