problem
 

i have a 1980 rx7 with a little over 70,000 on it.. it just started leaking oil, so i thought it was the oil pan gasket so i replaced it and its still leaking. someone said something about a rear main oil seal.. is that hard to replace.. or does anyone have any ideas of where else it could be coming from

You have to remove the transmission to remove the rear main engine seal. Best thing to do is clean off all of the oil then put it up on car ramps or on jackstands and try to see where it is coming from.

If you think it's the rear main seal, take off the two inspection plates. There is one on the top of the engine next to the trans and one on the lower passenger side of the engine. Sometimes the tension bolts will leak oil so I've heard.

Silver80-
keep us posted will you? My 70K SA also has leak(s) down there and I am curious as to the source. My first thought was the pan gasket too...
Interested to know what you find.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

well i did replace the oil pan gasket and that did not fix the leak but atleast its not gonna go out for a long while.. some one told me that it could be the rear main. my car has had alot go wrong with it lately.. the modulator on the trans, then i got my carb rebuilt, then got brakes, and as of two days ago i just put on a fuel pump but atleast all of these things are new now so im happy, but i wouldnt be suprised as to what happens next.. besides the rear main

Two more likely suspects for you to check first:

1. Oil metering pump (OMP). Located at the lower front of the engine, on the passenger's side.

2. Beehive. Assuming you don't have a front mount oil cooler. This will cause a leak at the back driver's side of the engine, near the top. Right under the oil filter.

3. If you do have a front mount oil cooler, then check the lines. Pay special attention to where they connect to the cooler, they sometimes get cracked due to aggresive over tightening.

Quick question pertaining to this thread. For the seals (o-rings) under the oil cooler. there are something like 4 that seal it. (rear of engine bay) Where can you get replacement seals?

You can order then through several of the Rotary suppliers, or as I do, take the o-ring to the local parts store and find ones of a matching size.