2012 Odyssey - possible rear main seal leak - ExtraSlow confused.

[ExtraSlow]

So, our 2012 Odyssey with 116,000 km on it went to the very nice Lube City location up in Country Hills by deerfoot. That location is owned by a beyonder, and they had me in and out with my fancy 0w20 in no time.

Very happy with the service. Apparently the tech in the pit could visually see that I had a "very bad rear main seal leak" and wanted me to be aware. Ok, thanks bro, good catch.

Except, there's not a drop of oil on the garage floor where this van parks. Wtf? I think there would be, right? Was he seeing things?

I'm too hungover today to crawl under there, but all you mechanical types, what's my next step? How do I diagnose this, how important is it to fix, how much could this cost and anyone reccomend a truthworthy independent shop for this Honda 3.5L V6?

Any members familiar with this repair?

[JohnnyHockey13]

Did you take off the covers underneath to look though, might see the oil pooling on it from the top maybe.

[firebane]

I have seldomly seen a rear main seal go bad in a Honda.

You will see valve covers, vtec solenoid or even the oil pressure switch go before a rms

Everyone always assumes RMS when they see a leak at the bottom of a engine.

[danno]

I don’t have a answer, but I will say that my moms escape has the exact same issue. No oil leak but a leaky rear main seal diagnosed from 2 places. It’s expensive on her escape

[ExtraSlow]

It just occurred to me that it could have been condensation from the AC, which drips down around that same spot. Although you'd think a lube tech would not be fooled so easily....

[killramos]

100k+ 10yo odyssey.

No noticeable dripping fluids. So the leak couldn’t possibly be that bad.

Keep the oil topped up and otherwise who cares. I’m guessing you could pay to top up a LOT (say a near infinite amount) of oil for the cost of that fix.

[gmc72]

Our Murano also has a rear main seal leak. It has for a while now. No evidence on the garage floor, but I get told that it's leaking every time the oil is changed. From what I remember, it's basically an engine pull to replace, or at least the Transmission.

I would just keep an eye on the oil level and not worry about it. But that's me.

[2020]

Leave it and top it up, spent the cash you just saved on more cheap $1 beers.

[Tik-Tok]

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Although you'd think a lube tech would not be fooled so easily....

There's a reason the employee is a lube tech and not a master mechanic. Also we don't usually have this much humidity with our heat, so they likely aren't used to seeing AC condensation.

[bjstare]

It’s like getting a diagnosis from a nurse vs a specialized doctor.

I would lose zero sleep over this. Maybe check your oil once a month if you don’t already. Bet you a case of beer that it’s not leaking “badly”, if at all.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Any and all leaks found at quick lube places are "major" because they need it documented with the customer that this vehicle leaks oil so they are immediately discharged from blame if the customer comes back to blame them that he can't see any oil on his dip stick however many days later.

My guess is a leak much higher up plus gravity equals oil gathering near rear seal. A full engine shampoo is really the only way to properly diagnose oil leaks and it's difficult even then.
I also go with the "if there is no spot on my driveway, it ain't leaking"

[ExtraSlow]

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I also go with the "of there is no spot on my driveway, it ain't leaking"

that fits my smooth brain.

[mr2mike]

Lube tech check your blinker fluid though??

[SJW]

Lube tech noticed my left right shock in the front has blown up. $1600 to replace. Uhhhhh fuck.

[killramos]

There is no scenario where I would pay a lube tech $1,600 dollars to repair anything.

[SJW]

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There is no scenario where I would pay a lube tech $1,600 dollars to repair anything.

That's from GM. It's a magneride shock. I ordered the tools. I'll do it myself.

[killramos]

Ahhh. That sucks.

[SJW]

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Ahhh. That sucks.

I figure if I buy the tools now I can replace the other when it goes too. Took it off too many sweet jumps. Just like mr. Odyssey guy here.

[ThePenIsMightier]

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I figure if I buy the tools now I can replace the other when it goes too. Took it off too many sweet jumps. Just like mr. Odyssey guy here.

I understand that reference.

[nzwasp]

Everytime a lube tech mentions anything to do with servicing the transmission on either of my cars I just tell them I would prefer an experienced mechanic to do it, I think those guys fuck it up half the time.

On my highlander I had a rear seal leak and the oil was all over the rear transmission but didn't start leaking on the ground for awhile.