258 rear main leak

When I got my jeep i was told it needed a rear main.
I had the seal replace and a fairly high cost I think....

but the jeep still leaked oil. brought it back and it was loose bolts.

still leaked oil

just brought it back again and they tell me it's still leaking from the rear main, and that basically there is nothing that can be done. Either the journal or crank is worn.

So I'm wondering is there anything that can be done other than a block or crank replacement.
Any oil additives to help stop the leak?

The engine has 111k on it

Worth trying to find another 258? I'd like to go 304 but have no idea what I need / needs to be done 258/TH400).

 

That's kind of puzzling. I've seen all kinds of front dampers with grooves cut into them but never in my 30 odd years of mechanicing do I remember seeing a problem with the rear. Kind of makes you wonder if they're not doing something wrong or, to put it in a nice way, not doing something right. Or maybe it's not the rear main that's even leaking? Strange.
304 is a pretty easy swap, you would need a frame mount for the left side, pretty sure it's the left side is different for the 8. Of course the 304 flex plate, you'd be able to use the spacer between the crank and flex plate from the 6. Do you have power steering, cause you'd need the pump and brackets for the 304. Alternator I think is different too I believe. I'd check mine but I converted to Delco.

 

Changing the rear main seal isn't hard - it's a little bit of a pain in the neck becasue you have to lay on your back to do it, but the procedure isn't complicated. If your up for it' I'd suggest you change the seal yourself; like Pack Rat, to me that the crank journal is damaged seems unlikely. Possible the shop put the seal in backwards, damaged the seal putting it in, or some such, and now they want to avoid making good on a come-back.

 

IMHO.
You need a new shop.
They should have fixed it.

Get a second opinion somewhere else.

Before changing a motor you realy need to count the cost and down time.

typicaly thats a good motor you have now.
the 304 wont make a big difference.

 

first make dang sure it is not the valve cover gasket leaking at the back end.
"Loose bolts" where? at the back of the valve cover or the oil pan? If they tightened the valve cover bolts, they might have gone too tight and it will never seal without a new premium gasket.

Crawl under it and see if it actually looks like the oil pan bolts have been recently removed and put back in. Along with a new oil pan gasket.
Would not be the first time a shop charged for something they never did.

 

HeepaJeep's right about checking the valve cover. They almost always leak.

The valve cover shouldn't be tightened with anything stronger than a nut driver. Tighten it too much and it will bend around the holes, and then it will never seal until you straighten it.

 

Thanks for all the info.

I was planning on checking the valve cover, just been too cold to do much. From what little I did look around that area it has been off before I can see some gray sealer at the bolt holes.

Plan is when the warmer weather gets here I'll redo the valve cover and rear main.
just so I know.