I went to the dealer to get head gaskets replaced. They told me the rear oil separator is also leaking and wanted to charge $490 to fix it. I have not noticed any oil leaks, although there is now a slight odor of burning oil since I got the car back from the gasket job.

 

Any thoughts on how I can check on whether the part needs to be replaced?

 

Thanks.

You can drop the tranny ;-)

 

If your oil separator plate (or rear main seal) is leaking you might find oil at the bottom of the bellhousing where the engine and tranny come together. You might also/eventually experience a slipping clutch.

 

-Heikki

when i got my head gaskets replaced the dealer told me that it was normal for it to smell for a few days. not sure why but it did, then it went away by the weeks end.

Is he already pulling the engine out to replace the head gaskets? If so $495 would be a ripp - off - it is 20 dollar part with 1/2 hr to 1 hr of labor.