The instructions to drop the auto transmission (93 civic EX auto 1.6L) say to drop the exhaust that runs around and under the engine in order to drop the transmission. Looking under the car, none of the exhaust system appears to be in the way of the tranny dropping out. Is the exhaust removal necessary in order to remove the oil pan, so I can change the rear main oil seal?

My objective is to replace the rear main oil seal, but I would like to get around removing the exhaust if possible, I know for a fact that one of the nuts will give me trouble.

 

I didn't have to remove the exhaust when I pulled my trans. although it was a manual trans. If you are following a Honda manual, exhaust removal seems like it would be expected. I am sure you should be able to pull it without touching the exhaust.

 

Yeah for sure it will come out without pulling the exhaust - but what I'm getting at is do I have to drop the oil pan in order to properly change the rear oil seal?

 

Bump still need input for original question

 

No need to remove oil pan for rear seal.. it sit behind the flywheel.. have nothing to do with removal of oil pan, unless your oil pan is partly bolted to the tranny..!!

 

Sorry, I must have read the question incorrectly. You do not need to remove the oil pan to access the rear main seal. You do, however, have to remove the exhaust manifold in order to remove/replace the oil pan.

 

Fair enough, it seems the factory method of dropping the trans says to remove the exhaust.

Can you replace the rear main seal without having to remove the housing in which it's seated? Or is that less preferred to pulling the 4-bolt housing and replacing it that way?

 

If I don't get an answer, i'll have to start another thread I guess, lol.

 

You can try to remove the seal without removing the housing, haven't try that myself. Reason for removal of oil pan as recommended is the seal housing is attached to the oil pan, you can remove just the bolts that seated on the seal housing that are attached to the oil pan only.

Maybe someone else can chime in if you can replace the seal without removing the housing.

 

Get a seal puller. I am not sure what housing you are referring to exactly, however, I have replaced the rear main seal on my D16y8 and the H22a motor. Pull off the transmission, clutch, flywheel (or AT trans parts), and use the seal puller to get the rear main out. Be careful not to scratch the crank!