Should I forget about this oil leak?

[blackthunder50]

I checked all behind the back of the engine and checked for the intake manifold leak. There was no oil or anything at the back and I rubbed everywhere back there, I could feel the bead of RTV on the intake and its as clean as a whistle!

The oil though is coming down the back of the oil pan and the oil is on the two rear bolts holding the pan on and also all over the bottom of the pan. It is also going down to the bottom of the transmission. Im pretty sure this is either the rear main seal, or the pan gasket. I dont want to mess with anything though because it barely drips and I never have to add oil in between oil changes. Should I just forget about it, it shouldnt hurt anything.

[fastTa]

Did you check the back of both valve covers?

[blackthunder50]

I rubbed a paper towel everywhere along the back of the engine where the intake manifold meets the block and the heads. There was zero oil or black crud.

[Firebirdcrazy]

You should never leave an oil leak unchecked. It leads to bigger problems, and it just might comepletely go on you and spew the oil out from where the leak is. Happened to my old TA. The rear main was leaking I let it go because it was no big deal then a couple of weeks later I was on the side of the road with no oil left in the car. ucky I saw the smoke and I stopped. If you dont notice you may just blow your engine. So dont take oil leaks lightly if you really care about your ride.

[thenuge876]

If its coming from the pan maybe just tightening up the bolts a little would help seal it up. When was the last time the filter got changed, Maybe it was a bit loose and was leaking (though i think you would notice that quicker but hey gotta check the easy stuff first right?) Other than that if its the Oil Pan gasket it shouldnt be expensive just got to jack the engine up a bit to replace it I think.