Hey guys! So the L16 I built for my car has developed a fairly 'eager' oil leak. I cleaned everything up under the engine to try to find the source of the leak and the only spot I see a small drip is on the bottom of the lip of the bell housing so it seems to be between the tranny bell housing and the engine. Most likely the rear crank seal, but I'm just guessing.
I bought a new seal (OEM this time), so a couple questions; am I better off pulling the engine or dropping the tranny? I haven't got a lift, just ramps and jackstands. Also, please toss up any tips for this job you feel would be helpful as I've never replaced a crankseal without the engine being on a stand. And, if you know if there's a more likely culpirit for the leak, please let me know.
Transmission or engine oil? You can smell the difference.
Another option is you was unlucky with the rtv and side seals at the main cap?
Then why do a new seal failure, groove in the crank?
It's definitely engine oil. I'm guessing either the seal itself was subpar (it was a Felpro kit) or more likely, I simply didn't install it perfectly. I may have pushed it back a little too far or something like that. I don't know if there's a groove in the crank, but I didn't notice anything when assembling, however, that was 10 years ago so details are a little fuzzy in my head.
It would probably be less work to {get the driveshaft out, get the trans out, get the clutch off, get the flywheel off} to have a look at the rear main seal before you try to pull the motor out.
Agree with 510rob.
The reason i mention the side seals and rtv, i know a guy who replaced a "new seal" but was still leaking.
At the end the rear main cap was pulled and side seals done again, leak stopped.
I cleaned everything up under the engine to try to find the source of the leak and the only spot I see a small drip is on the bottom of the lip of the bell housing so it seems to be between the tranny bell housing and the engine. Most likely the rear crank seal, but I'm just guessing. 
