dderolph

I have two old accords, 1988 and 1991. I recently had a mechanic replace a drive axle seal (seal where the axle goes into the transaxle/transmission) on the older car to stop a leak. I suspected leaking was occurring elsewhere too and I mentioned this to the mechanic. He carefully looked at the bottom of the engine and said the main rear seal might be leaking. I also had been thinking that seal might be leaking.

Since replacing it in an expensive, labor-intensive repair, he gave me a 12 oz. canister of an engine oil additive to condition, or re-condition, main seals. The product has a label naming a company called The S & S Group and it is based in Columbus, OH, where I live. The front label specifically mentions main seals and it rejuvenates seals.

Just wondering about experiences and/or opinions on such products from other car owners.

hondamark35

as a rule i put little faith in "fix in a bottle" products. a leaky rear main seal won't effect how the car runs, provided you keep an eye on the oil level. however, the unknown negative side effects of some goopy additive seem more risk than reward. not to say that all oil additives are bad or ineffective. What i am saying is that a rear main seal leak alone is cheap to keep up with by topping off the oil between regular changes. you're already aware of the fact that adding oil on a regular basis is cheaper over the next five years than paying someone to change the seal.

another option is to take things into your own hands, learn to pull the transmission and replace the seal yourself. it's a weekends worth of work but only about $10 for the parts bill. not an option for everyone, i know..

holmesnmanny

you can use high mileage oils as a temp help fix until you replace the seal

they have seal help reconditioners

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Snake oil.

DCFIVER

Esters in seal conditioners typically will soften/swell up old hard seals. However, the effect is temporary. Rather than using an additive,switch to a high mileage oil like someone else suggested,this may help with your leak.

On some cars it works great,on others not so much....

holmesnmanny

well it wont stop the leaks but it will slow em

dont knock it til you tried it AND it worked

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

A leak is a leak. These things are supposed to recondition seals. In my eyes that gives the unsuspecting the impression it will restore seals to like new, and we all know that isn't possible. All you're doing with using this stuff is postponing the inevitable.

And yes, in my youth I have used them. On a Plymouth Horizon, Dodge Aspen, and a few Z cars.

holmesnmanny

yes and that is exactly why you use them