If you found the number 12715134 while looking for a GM engine part, you are likely dealing with the rear crankshaft oil seal housing, also called the rear main seal housing or retainer. It sits at the rear of the engine and helps hold the oil seal around the crankshaft.
This part is used on certain GM vehicles with 3.0L and 3.6L engines. However, the exact fit depends on the vehicle year, model, engine, and other application details. GM parts listings also show that 12715134 replaces older numbers 12646875, 12681249, and 12690013.
If you are trying to identify this part, check compatibility before ordering. A matching part number alone is useful, but confirming the vehicle by VIN is a safer way to avoid ordering the wrong component.
What Is GM Part 12715134?
12715134 is a GM housing assembly for the crankshaft rear oil seal. Parts catalogs also refer to it as a rear main seal retainer, engine crankshaft seal housing, or rear main seal assembly. The part is positioned at the rear of the engine.
The housing has an important job. It holds the rear oil seal in the correct position around the crankshaft. The seal helps keep engine oil inside the engine while the crankshaft rotates. If the seal or the surrounding housing has a problem, oil can escape from the rear of the engine.
It is worth understanding the difference between the seal and the housing. The rear main seal is the sealing element, while the housing or retainer supports the seal in its proper location. Listings for 12715134 describe the part as a housing assembly and state that the assembly includes the housing, bolt, and seals.
What Does 12715134 Do?
The main purpose of 12715134 is to support the rear crankshaft oil seal and help prevent engine oil from leaking around the crankshaft.
The crankshaft extends toward the transmission at the rear of the engine. Because it rotates while the engine is running, the area where it passes through the engine needs a seal. The rear oil seal works around this rotating shaft, while the housing keeps the sealing assembly positioned correctly.
A problem in this area can result in an engine oil leak. However, seeing oil near the back of an engine does not automatically mean that the rear main seal or 12715134 has failed. Oil can travel from another leak and collect in the same area.
For that reason, proper leak diagnosis matters before replacing the housing assembly. A mechanic may need to clean the area, inspect where fresh oil appears, and rule out other possible sources.
Which GM Vehicles Use 12715134?
The part is listed for a range of GM vehicles, but 12715134 is not a universal GM part for every vehicle. The engine and model year have to be checked.
Current catalog data lists applications involving 3.0L and 3.6L engines, including certain Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles. One parts catalog, for example, lists the 2017–2019 Buick LaCrosse with a 3.6L engine, several Cadillac models, and Chevrolet applications.
Examples appearing in current fitment information include the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal Sportback, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CT5, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Blazer, and Chevrolet Camaro. The complete application list is longer, and specifications can differ between model years and engines.
This is why searching only by vehicle name can be misleading. Two vehicles with the same model name may have different engines or production years. Before buying 12715134, confirm the year, model, engine, and preferably the VIN.
12715134 Replacement Part Numbers
One of the most useful details about this part is its replacement-number history.
GM parts listings identify the following numbers as replaced by 12715134:
12646875
12681249
12690013
In other words, if you find one of these older numbers in an older repair record, parts catalog, or search result, it may lead you to the newer 12715134 part. Current listings specifically identify these three numbers as replacements for 12715134.
For example, 12646875 is listed as being replaced by 12715134, and 12690013 is also listed as replaced by 12715134.
Still, do not assume that an old number automatically guarantees fitment for every vehicle. Use the vehicle application or VIN to confirm the correct part.
Signs of a Problem With the Rear Main Seal Area
The most obvious sign of a rear main seal problem is an engine oil leak near the rear of the engine. Depending on the vehicle, oil may appear around the point where the engine and transmission meet.
You may also notice oil spots underneath the vehicle after it has been parked. A low engine oil level can occur when a leak is severe enough to cause noticeable oil loss.
The location of the leak is important, but it does not identify the failed component by itself. Oil from a valve cover, oil pan, rear cover, or another engine seal can run downward and make the rear main seal area look wet.
If you see fresh oil around the engine-to-transmission area, have the source confirmed before buying parts. Replacing 12715134 without confirming the leak can result in unnecessary repair work.
How to Check if 12715134 Fits Your Vehicle
The safest way to check 12715134 fitment is to use your vehicle’s VIN along with the year, make, model, and engine information.
Start by checking the part number on your repair paperwork, previous parts invoice, or the component being replaced. If the number is 12646875, 12681249, or 12690013, current GM parts listings show 12715134 as the replacement number.
Next, verify the engine. Current listings identify 3.0L and 3.6L applications, but that does not mean every GM 3.0L or 3.6L engine uses this exact assembly.
Finally, provide the VIN to a GM dealer or a reputable parts seller that offers fitment verification. Several current parts listings specifically recommend VIN-based checking because application data can vary.
What Comes With 12715134?
The exact contents should be confirmed with the seller before purchase, but current GM parts listings describe 12715134 as an assembly that includes the housing, bolt, and seals, along with the rear main seal retainer.
That makes it different from purchasing only a standalone oil seal. The housing provides the structure that holds the seal around the crankshaft.
This distinction matters when comparing parts. A listing that says only “rear main seal” may not contain the same components as a listing for the complete housing assembly. Always read the part description and included-components information before ordering.
If your repair requires additional bolts, gaskets, sealants, or other components, check the vehicle-specific service information rather than assuming everything needed for the repair comes with 12715134.
12715134 Replacement and Installation
Replacing the rear crankshaft oil seal housing is not usually a simple external repair. The housing is located at the rear of the engine, so access can depend heavily on the vehicle and engine configuration.
The repair should begin with confirming that the leak actually comes from the rear crankshaft seal area. Once the surrounding components are removed as required by the vehicle’s service procedure, the old housing can be removed and the mating surfaces prepared for the replacement.
Installation needs to follow the correct GM procedure. Fastener torque, seal positioning, surface preparation, and any required sealant can vary by engine. Using incorrect torque or installing the seal incorrectly can lead to another leak.
For that reason, a professional mechanic or the appropriate GM service information should be used for the actual repair. The goal is not simply to install a new housing; the seal must be correctly positioned and the assembly must be installed according to the engine’s specifications.
How Much Does GM 12715134 Cost?
The price of 12715134 can change depending on the seller, availability, location, shipping costs, and whether you are looking at a current genuine GM part or another listing.
For example, online GM parts catalogs currently show prices below the listed MSRP, but those prices are seller-specific and can change. One current listing shows an MSRP of $124.43 and a lower online selling price, while another retailer lists a different sale price.
When comparing prices, do not look at the part price alone. Check whether the listing includes the housing, seal, and hardware, and confirm that the seller is supplying the correct part number.
Shipping and return terms also matter. A cheaper listing is not useful if the part does not fit your engine or cannot be returned after ordering.
FAQs About 12715134
What is GM part 12715134?
GM part 12715134 is a housing assembly for the crankshaft rear oil seal. It is also described in parts catalogs as a rear main seal retainer or engine crankshaft seal housing.
What does 12715134 replace?
Current GM parts listings identify 12646875, 12681249, and 12690013 as numbers replaced by 12715134.
Is 12715134 the rear main seal?
12715134 is listed as the rear crankshaft oil seal housing assembly and is also called a rear main seal retainer. Some catalogs use “rear main seal” as another name, so check the detailed description to see whether the listing is for the complete housing assembly or only the seal.
Which engines use 12715134?
Current parts listings identify applications for 3.0L and 3.6L GM engines, including certain 3.6L non-V-series applications from 2016–2019. Exact fitment depends on the vehicle and engine.
How do I check 12715134 fitment?
Use the vehicle’s VIN and confirm the year, make, model, trim, and engine. VIN verification is the safest method because the same model can have different engines and applications.
Can I use 12690013 instead of 12715134?
Current GM parts listings show 12690013 as a number replaced by 12715134. That means 12715134 is the current replacement listed for the older number. Confirm the vehicle application before ordering.
What are the signs of a rear main seal leak?
Common signs include engine oil appearing near the rear of the engine, oil collecting around the engine and transmission junction, and oil spots underneath the vehicle. These signs do not prove that the rear main seal is the source, so the leak should be diagnosed first.
Does 12715134 include the seal and housing?
Some current GM parts listings state that the assembly includes the housing, bolt, and seals and includes the rear main seal retainer. Always check the individual seller’s description before purchasing.
How much does 12715134 cost?
Prices vary by seller and can change over time. Current online listings show different selling prices compared with MSRP, so check the latest price and confirm exactly what the listing includes before ordering.
Conclusion
12715134 is a GM crankshaft rear oil seal housing assembly, commonly referred to as a rear main seal housing or retainer. It is associated with selected GM 3.0L and 3.6L applications and replaces older part numbers 12646875, 12681249, and 12690013.
