During rear main seal replacement on nay 2.0, 2.3 or 2.5L four-cylinder engine in a 2006-2009 Lincoln MKZ or 2017-2019 Continental, only the 303-328 rear main seal retainer ESST should be used during the repair.
The 303-328 tool can be used with the oil pan on or off. The oil pan on service procedure requires a tilt in the process of the rear main seal during installation with the silicone placement on the oil pan. The plastic sleeve that comes in the kit is intended for rear main seal shipping protection and requires a straight-in rear main seal installation using the oil pan-off service procedure only.
Using the sleeve from the rear main seal kit with the oil pan installed may roll the lip of the rear main seal and/or disturb the silicone placement on the oil pan, resulting in a rear main seal leak.
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Information courtesy of Mitchell 1
Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.
Mike Mavrigian
Motor Age Editor
Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.