Rear main seal sealant?

[Ob917]

What is the best technique for installing the rear main seal. I did something wrong and don’t want to screw up again. Should any sealants be used on the bottom part of the seal housing? Or under the oil pan gasket? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Andy2424]

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e46-m3-cab_200207/repair-manuals/11-engine/11-13-oil-sump/BNnZeaL

[Ob917]

Hmmm thanks for that tech sheet. But it's still unclear to me if sealant is required on the bottom edge of the seal carrier. The flat section that mates to the oil pan gasket. I think so and applied some copper gasket maker on the first install but now I'm second guessing if I should have and can't seem to find any specific info about it.

[mrgizmo04]

I'm assuming you are replacing the entire cover with the seal already pressed in, correct? Is your oil pan off the block?

[Arith2]

The sealant goes where the block meets the rear main seal housing on both sides. It's above the gasket, not on the oil pan. Use something oil resistant. BMW was using the clear Toyota gasket sealant.

[Ob917]

Thanks guys, I used some copper hi temp sealant because I had it on hand. Hope it seals this time.

[mrgizmo04]

Thanks guys, I used some copper hi temp sealant because I had it on hand. Hope it seals this time.

How many times have you dropped the tranny at this point?

[Ob917]

Three times this month. In and out and back on the road in a day now, lol

[mrgizmo04]

Three times this month. In and out and back on the road in a day now, lol

👍🍻

[jbfrancis3]

Three times this month. In and out and back on the road in a day now, lol

Terrible. Hope this is the final time.

[M Pete]

Thanks guys, I used some copper hi temp sealant because I had it on hand. Hope it seals this time.

It should say on the tube what it is rated for. Permatex black is made specifically for oil pans and RMS which is what I've used in other cars and did the job. As long as i is rated for this use it will not hurt anything.

[pawelgawel]

Three times this month. In and out and back on the road in a day now, lol

LOL 😂
my back hurts just thinking about that

[heinzboehmer]

Thanks guys, I used some copper hi temp sealant because I had it on hand. Hope it seals this time.

Where did you end up putting the sealant? Along the whole bottom portion of the seal?

Dropping my transmission this weekend and bought a new rear main seal, but now I'm a bit hesitant to install it. Mine is not leaking and I don't want to cause a leak by changing it.

[Ob917]

I did a "light" application on all the block surfaces and the top of the oil pan, dabbed a little extra in the corners. Probably over kill but I didn't really want to deal with it again. All good now.

[heinzboehmer]

Great thanks good to know.