2002 QX4/R50 RMS leak? Options?

[brickbox]

While I was crawling under the car, I found an oil seep which I'm positive looks like it is the RMS. Looking at the older threads, looks like this is something that involves the separation of the engine and trans as well as dropping of a cross member. I'm not sure if I'm capable of doing a job that is so involved and I'm not sure if the truck is worth investing $1,500 or so into.

That being said, I'm open to any suggestions on how to fix it in a more cost effective manner and/or to extend the life out of the seal.

https://imgur.com/Y5je73s

[BubbaFL]

Mine has been leaking for 50k+. This stuff from Bars Leaks helps slow it down -https://amzn.to/2GS2qgG

I like the truck, but not enough to drop the transmission and do this job!

[04pathse]

how about cleaning the area up really good and putting a bead of jb weld over it

[AlanAZ]

1. Are you sure it's not leaking from the outside, back corners of the valve covers and running down the back of the engine? 2. I read someone here cable ties shop towels (folded over the heavy duty tie) to the back of the sump to prevent drips onto the ground.

[brickbox]

Mine has been leaking for 50k+. This stuff from Bars Leaks helps slow it down -https://amzn.to/2GS2qgG

I like the truck, but not enough to drop the transmission and do this job!

Ha! That's how I feel as well. I've been contemplating the Blue Devil stuff because I read on Bob is the Oil Guy forum that the Blue Devil stuff is much lighter base oil than the Bars which prevents clogging oil passageways in the block.

Have you had success with the Bars Leaks over the past 50k miles on your QX4? Have you had to add it after every oil change?

[brickbox]

how about cleaning the area up really good and putting a bead of jb weld over it

Hadn't thought about this, but this is a pretty good idea. That being said, will it not result in oil just leaking elsewhere i.e. the oil finds a different leak path?
At 187k miles, I doubt if I will ever recover money by having a shop replace the RMS. So the likelihood of separating the engine and trans ever is extremely remote ( for future repairs).

[brickbox]

1. Are you sure it's not leaking from the outside, back corners of the valve covers and running down the back of the engine? 2. I read someone here cable ties shop towels (folded over the heavy duty tie) to the back of the sump to prevent drips onto the ground.

Mine isn't dripping on to the ground yet, so that doesn't necessarily worry me. I'm not necessarily comfortable zip tieing shop towels near hot exhaust...not something I guess I would do.
However, I did take a quick peek under the hood today and it does look like I'm seeping on the passenger side VCG (which was replaced by the shop while doing spark plugs 33k miles ago. I might need to crawl down underneath this weekend to see if the oil is leaking from the the back of the VCG down. However, when I replaced the rear O2 sensor, I didn't remember seeing any drips/leaks coming down that way though