I have not changed my rms on my 00 S2k after 2 clutch jobs. 170k km. If it leaks I’ll change it and deal with it then. I don’t believe this to be a preventative maintenance item. My 05 crv was leaking after 340k km, I believe it uses the same seal fwiw. Likely started leaving after driving trails, being submerged. I drilled a tiny hole in the seal, drove in a self tapping screw and used this to gently pry the seal out while not damaging the crank polished surface. Used the old seal as a driver to put the new seal in to roughly same depth as old seal, check fsm.

 

In the pic above, there a small sets of recessed squares all around the seal.

Using a punch sharpened like a pencil (narrow/sharp) you can easily pierce a hole in one of the squares.

Then insert a tiny screw, and lever it right out.

Do not remove until a proper driver is in hand for the new seal.

 

What do you use for a driver?

 

you order the tool from honda

07749-0010000 DRIVER ATTACHMENT
07948-SB00101 SEAL DRIVER

I wouldn't use any other tool to install but what honda tells you to use!

 

Driver and handle isn’t a cheap tool! Guess I better start replacing rear main seals on s2ks to recoup my money.

 

I have an idler pulley from some Ford that is a perfect fit. You could also bring the seal to Home Depot and size up the perfect driver from the plumbing section (possibly PVC mentioned above)

 

I was thinking of doing the same Billman. Sizing something like that to drive in the seal. I've read another thread on here mentioning that the seal can cause a groove in the crankshaft so to make sure the seal sits in that groove where the old one sat. From your experience have you seen seals do this to the crankshaft?

 

I have a 2003 s2k w/ 34k miles and for some odd reason the rear main seal was replaced at 13k miles by a random shop. This was on the history report. Now I can see some very small oil around the transmission area. I’m guessing they either installed it wrong or distorted the crank. Also it looks like they put a cheap throw out bearing coz it’s noisy too.

 

Cheap throw out bearings are never the solution on something that critical in the car. That's begging for problems.

 

Its not so much thats its critical, its that its so difficult to replace.