Not to hijack your post,
But I have oil leaking out of the back of my engine. I was sure it was a main seal. If you leave the car parked up hill, it will leak a 2 foot puddle by morning. And you will have to refill it some.
also at times when following the car, you can see it running in a stream from the bell housing.
Could this be one of those "ball" seals? How would I tell? I was planning on pulling the engine, Which I posted about low compression. But if the MMO fixes that may I fix this also without pulling the engine????
Any ideas on what would cause this size of leak?

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

If you are going to pull it, consider replacing the oil cooler lines at this time, if they show any signs of aging.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Sorry to take so long to respond. It turns out that I had leaks at my valve cover, my oil filter housing and the front crank case. I also hadn't fully sealed the turbo oil return pipe as well as I thought I had. All of those except for the front crank seal have been fixed and the car is leaking MUCH less. I am planning on doing the front crank next weekend.

The number of leaks made it to figure out where the oil was coming from. In the end, it turned out to be "most of the above". None of these tasks was particularly difficult but it took a long time to get the time to do it. Each fixed leak reduced the mess.

Thanks to everyone who saved me from foolishly trying to pull the engine.

Sasha

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82 Mercedes 300TD Turbo

Always look first for the simplest solution before tearing into something. It's easy to overanalyse a mechanical problem