Cascade Crew

85 T/A WS6 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:51 am Post subject: Rear main seal squeek?

Had my 89 Yukon 5.7 w/ 177k miles in the shop for a squeek that sounds like a bearing or belt.

They tell me its the rear main seal, 750 bucks to fix.

Anyone ever hear a seal squeek? They say it isnt leaking oil. Confused

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

Never heard of one squeek. Just leak.

blue89 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

A squeek? I have never heard of a seal doing that. Whens the last time you changed your oil? To me, squeeks mean friction. Squeeky stuff that gets a dab of wd-40 generally stop.

Is an 89 Yukon a 2-piece rear main?

85 T/A WS6 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject:

I meant 98, not 89 sorry. Im not sure if its 2 piece or not, its one of those Vortec motors though.

I just dont trust some car repair places.

Oil is changed with synthetic at every 5k or so

blue89 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject:

well then, I have a 97 Tahoe with 5.7 Vortec, they should not be 2 piece. Have you gone under the truck to see if you can figure out where its coming from? Mine has a squeeky belt but I'm too lazy to replace it.

mrpopo573 · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Sounds fishy. Like everyone said, seals don't squeak.

I'd get a second opinion, as those vortec motors minus their coolant/intake problems (not sure what year that ended) are pretty darn reliable, especially with synthetic.

85 T/A WS6 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I will record the sound and put it up on stands to see for myself.

I had the dealer change out the intake manifold gasket before I bought it, that was one of the problems with the motors during that production run.

blue89 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

I'm going to have to do mine again. That manifold gasket is terrible. For anyone who doesn't know, its a hard plastic gasket thats about 3/16" thick with a rubber rib that is used to seal everything. The intake bolts are torqued to 10in/lbs. I still haven't been able to find an in/lb torque wrench. Not to mention that intake manifold is pretty heavy to be lifting out of an engine that far back.

chevymad · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:

Buy the felpro replacement gaskets for those engines. Felpro redesigned the vortec gasket. It's not the plastic/silicone design. They used an aluminum carrier with a molded on rubber seal. Much better. They even sell a kit that contains all the gaskets you'll need..

85 T/A WS6 · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

Ok here is a vid of the squeek. It continues after the motor is off a bit, so if the crankshaft is not turning, how can it squeek in the seal?

chevymad · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject:

Take the fan belt off and try it again. I have a feeling it'll go away. Then you'll know its an accessory not a motor problem. If it goes away look at the fan clutch, or the a/c compressor clutch.