98 Blazer-Oil leak at rear of engine-ideas??

I have a 1998 Blazer 4DR/4WD with the 4.3 engine and about 80K miles. I have an oil leak showing up at the rear of the engine, where the trans bolts up. It appears like there are 2 rubber "drains" there. I hate the thought that this could be the rear main oil seal, so I'm hoping there could be some other "common" problem up above that area. Where is the oil pressure sender on this truck? I was hoping it was the oil lines to the oil filter, but they are dry at the engine. Any other ideas of what this could be, or am I stuck with the thought of the rear main? Thanks for ANY input!

John

2 likely possibilities... The sender unit (at the back of the engine to the left of the distributor) or a leaky valve cover gasket... It's bound to be one of those if it's not your lines...

I too have a 98 Blazer with 4.3 Vortec with the same oil leak, and came here looking for answers. Great Forum!! It has 150K miles and is not worth much, and I want to sell it. I don't feel right selling it with such an oil leak. After running the car for a while, I notice about a 6 inch oil spot on the floor in the morning. I crawled under the oil pan for a look. The starter on the passenger side of the engine is oily, and the drip seems to follow the oil pan and drips off that edge of the pan. I can't see much from the top of the engine. The car still runs excellent, and I don't smell oil burning at all. The oil lines were already replaced. I know it could be almost anything, but any help would be appreciated.

The seal on the distibutor can also leak oil. The distributor is almost straight above the starter. If starter is oily, check under and behind distributor for oil.

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check it out. I hope that's all it is.

Check your oil cooler lines. Everyone always references where the lines connect up by the oil filter, but if you follow them back they connect up just above the transmission/differential. Mine always sweated up front, but I climbed under on the weekend and they were pissing at the other end. I had them replaced at 30,000km's, 60k, and now 96k this week.