So I was doing a tune-up on my car replacing (spark plugs, spark plug wires, cap and rotor, intake manifold gasket, valve cover gaskets, air filter, battery, etc..) and noticed I had a leak from what it looks to be the rear engine seal. I really hope it's not that I thought originally the only leak was from the valve cover gaskets but it might be there too. I don't know how to remove an engine or transmission to fix it and the repairs I'm sure will be more or less $2,000. Any of you guys seen this?

happened on both my banks at the same time. It cost me $600 to get it all fixed, replaced rocker cover gaskets and all spark plug tube seals.

Wrong seal dave, this is the seal between the engine and gearbox iirc (Rear main seal)

Anyways, my mech did mine about 80,000km ago for $600. So it shouldn't be too bad mate.

I agree with Dean/Life - I think/assume Patrick means the rear main seal - on crankshaft at gearbox end. Patrick, I'd fix and clean-up as many other leaks you can find, then give engine a good degreasing. Monitor the engine for leaks and assess where any oil is coming from and how much is leaking.

If the rear main seal is leaking - is it just a nuisance issue? Not enough to be leaving unsafe amounts of oil on the roadways etc? If its minor and of a safe "level" of leak...... then the labour involved in changing that seal may not make it worth repairing for a while yet.

(I'm of the opinion that any older car is going to have the odd leak..... if its not a dangerous loss of oil to your engine, and its not spilling oil onto the road and being a danger, then (IMHO) you have to look at the cost/ease of fixing vs knowing your car isn't absolutely perfect and adding a few cents of oil now and then to top it up).

Splitting the box off the engine to get that seal done is just a "big scale" job - ie: lots of effort on your part, or paying to have it done.

Thanks for the replies guys. The leak is not so bad yet, just noticeable. I'm assuming another 20,000-25,000 miles before it definitely needs to be repaired. I do have to monitor it a little better because I'm not 100% it's coming from there. However I sealed the other minor leak from my valve cover gaskets already so I'll be able to monitor this one better. This car is in great cosmetic condition and runs well. It would be worth paying a little to fix this if it has to be done.

Guys,
Lets not jump the gun here

If the dist seal is leaking this can look like a rear main seal as well and dist seal is a common leak.

You need to completely clean everything first and then look for leaks.

It would be unusual for a rear main in a 6G7x S4 motor to leak

Also check your breathers are clear as well, as if they are not pressure may have built up and forced oil out