Greasy transmission, should I be worried?

[Al Pizzica]

This looks like engine oil and despite the ugliness is probably not a major issue. I has a slight weep from the passenger valve cover that was annoying in our last 2013 that made a similar mess but was not a threat to the vehicle at all. Wipe some of it and smell it and see if it smells like trans or engine oil, they are very different smells.

 

[txfromwi]

They all taste different as well.

 

[DiscoLR4]

So I finally gave up and had an LR Indy shop take a look at it. They said it's the rear seal, and quoted $2.5k. Is that reasonable? That just sounds high. I know the transmission has to come out, but still.

Don't think I'm mechanically inclined enough to take on that job....yet. Should I try to pair this job with other jobs (while I'm in there add-ons)? Any recommendations? Transmission pan swap?

 

[ftillier]

Can you pull the transmission without lifting the body off the frame?

 

[itsaguything]

So I finally gave up and had an LR Indy shop take a look at it. They said it's the rear seal, and quoted $2.5k. Is that reasonable? That just sounds high. I know the transmission has to come out, but still.

Don't think I'm mechanically inclined enough to take on that job....yet. Should I try to pair this job with other jobs (while I'm in there add-ons)? Any recommendations? Transmission pan swap?

Did you look at the workshop manual... its a big job.
Frankly, I'm the kind of guy that changes fluids whenever opportunity arrises. I know nothing of your vehicle but unless the fluid and pan were recently changed...

 

[Rover Range]

So I finally gave up and had an LR Indy shop take a look at it. They said it's the rear seal, and quoted $2.5k. Is that reasonable? That just sounds high. I know the transmission has to come out, but still.

Don't think I'm mechanically inclined enough to take on that job....yet. Should I try to pair this job with other jobs (while I'm in there add-ons)? Any recommendations? Transmission pan swap?

It pays 10 hrs to R+R the transmission. So, quote is about right.
Also, you have to factor in things that can go wrong. Like broken cat convertor bolts.

 

[Rover Range]

Can you pull the transmission without lifting the body off the frame?

Yes.

 

[ktm525]

Unless that greasy mess is hitting the ground I would ignore it and run a high mileage oil to see if that will swell the seal enough to stop the leak.

 

[Jimmy Brooks]

Definitely valve cover, I have the same thing because my valve covers are shot. It drips down the back of the engine while driving.

 

[powershift]

I'd get a second opinion to be sure unless you know those guys well enough not to stick it to you when the issue was really a valve cover gasket as mentioned. During my research prior to purchasing I don't think I even read about a rear main seal go bad but I'm sure they are out there. Nothing like the coolant system problems. I had valve cover gasket leak oil and it would smoke at the end of the off-ramp.