Mitsubishi Repair: Rear main oil seal, rear main oil seal, valve cover gasket

Question
If the rear main engine oil seal was leaking would the fly wheel be covered with oil? (1998
mitsubishi eclipse RS ) I have oil all over the under side of the car. Thinking it was the rear main engine oil seal I started to replace it, but after removing the starter found that the fly wheel was dry. ( no oil ) What do you think?  

Answer
Dave,
It is possible to get engine oil on the fly wheel, but not necessarily if the rear seal was leaking.  Also, since the flywheel is spinning, it would be harder for it to accumulate oil.  Other possible places you should check for oil leaks are the oil pan gasket, the oil dipstick tube, and even the valve cover gasket.  A warped head gasket could also leak oil.

When the car is moving, oil can spread far from the source of the leak.  Check your transmission fluid level to see if any of that fluid could be leaking as well.  Even a leaking oil filter bracket can spread oil across the bottom of the engine.  Many auto parts stores sell leak dye.  If you add this to your crank case, run it through, and then shine a blacklight on it, the dye will leak out and you can see it.  That may help pinpoint the leak source.
Good luck!