Leakage an issue

Leakage from the rear main seal has been a a problem with Holden engines for many years, but its the sort of problem that will cause an annoying stain on your driveway rather than a breakdown. In some cases, if the leak is excessive, it can effect the roadworthiness of your car. We contacted Holden, and this is what a spokesman told us: ``The issue outlined by your reader tends to happen more with cars that aren't driven very often. They are most likely used for small trips, and the materials (iron and aluminium) are expanding and cooling at different rates. ``In late 1997 Holden offered a new seal on the 3.8 V6 and in March 2000 we further developed a new non-stick gasket. ``There has been no change to the assemblies themselves during this time, only the gaskets.''