Hi all,

My grrrrrrrrlchild has a 1999 Starlet 3-door with a 1.3L DOHC (4E-FE) and a 5 speed. Bought nearly 3 years ago for a bargain price, just $5000 with completely dealer stamped service records from new, though with high-ish k's (195,000km).

The car has never let her down despite her not always telling me when it needs maintenance- and a couple of minor bingles, since fixed. This little buzzbox will really scoot if you wind out the revs yet delivers incredible fuel economy when not being a hoon with the car. Now has 220,000km on the ticker.

I did an oil change and a set of front brake pads on the car last night and took it out for a test drive. While doing the oil change, I noted significant oil weeping on the bottom of the bellhousing. When driving the car, I found that the clutch hooks up solidly with no hint of slip under even serious flogging, but the clutch begins to engage when the pedal is only a couple inches off the floor.

What could be causing the clutch to engage with the pedal so close to the floor?

Not sure how much oil is being lost on the flywheel end of the engine, but would a drip of oil on the clutch from the rear main seal cause the above symptom?

How hard is it to replace the rear main seal in this engine? Lots of working space in the engine bay to negotiate the gearbox out, that part doesn't look too hard, but will any special tools or hair-pulling be required to replace the rear main seal? Should I farm this one off to a pro?

Thanks muchly,

Brian
Blue Mtns NSW Australia