In longitudinally mounted engines, the seal is located towards the back of the engine bay, while transversely mounted engines have the seal facing the left or right wheel arch. The rear main seal can be found at the rear end of the engine, where it connects to the transmission. Mechanics will charge between $500 and $1800 for the labor alone, with the average total cost of repair being $1100. Even though the parts won’t cost more than $100, the cost of labor is what makes the rear main seal repair very expensive.
The main symptom of the rear main seal leak is forming an oil puddle beneath the spot where transmission and engine are merged. Considering just how important oil is for the healthy operation of the engine, any leaks need to be addressed as soon as possible. Moving your vehicle on the driveway only to find a small puddle of oil left behind is a serious reason for concern.