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Kelsie.XJ · 08-25-2010, 09:56 AM

I can't quite tell where the oil is coming from. Last year I replaced the valve cover gasket and that looks ok still. Thank you so much for any pointers!

Mud_Pig · 08-25-2010, 10:34 AM

I would put my money on the rear main leaking.

**stamp** · 08-25-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud_Pig

I would put my money on the rear main leaking.

x2
it could possibly be transmission input gasket but more often than not its the rear main

4.3L XJ · 08-25-2010, 11:50 AM

Rear main. If it was the tranny the oil would not be black. This is common in XJs Kelsie.

**muddeprived** · 08-25-2010, 11:55 AM

Rear main or valve cover gasket I'm betting.

Sometimes it can look like oil but could also be dirty tranny oil. An easy way is to take a paper towel and let a drop fall on it. You'll be able to see some redish color if it's tranny, or just black and dirt if it's oil. When my tranny overheated, it spilled down the same spot and onto my exhaust. Looked like oil cuz my jeep was dirty underneath but the paper towel trick showed hints of red (thank god cuz i just replaced the rear main and VC gasket).

But yours really looks like good ol' OIL.

knoy4u74 · 08-25-2010, 11:57 AM

Rear main for sure I got one doin that also sux.

JeeperMatt · 08-25-2010, 12:21 PM

As everyone's said, rear main. It's not difficult, just a bit tedious (approx. 10 million oil-pan bolts). Since you're lifted a bit it'll be pretty easy to pull the pan, should have enough clearance to finess it out without jacking the rig up at all.

Mine's doing it... again. Just replaced the damn thing when I did the clutch two months ago. Forgot to put the little metal retaining half-ring back in it, lol. Gotta do the rear-main again, plus the oil filter housing o-rings, valve-cover, oil pan, AND the head gasket. Stupid over-heat, lol.

RenegadeStang · 08-25-2010, 08:48 PM

I'll x-whatever the rear main seal. Also, check around where your oil filter screws on. The o-rings for the oil filter adapter are known for leaking.

**CT99XJ** · 08-25-2010, 09:36 PM

RMS, and/or tranny overheat. The tranny fluid will boil over and come out from under the inspection plate or sometimes out the dipstick tube if it overheats.

jeepgod · 08-25-2010, 11:59 PM

find out where your leak is coming from is to get some degreaser and spray the heck out of the bottom and get that crud off there.....let it soak a little first and then powerwash it........run it a few days and check it again......the o'rings can leak for a while and make it look like the rear main is leaking.....when driving the air circulation can transplant the fluid in weird spot due to the turbulant air under the vehicle......also by doing this, you will see if it is tranny fluid, or oil coming from the rear main a lot easier! Also, if you need to change the rear main seal, it will be a clean environment for you to do so.

JeeperMatt · 08-26-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepgod

...Also, if you need to change the rear main seal, it will be a clean environment for you to do so.

I was almost to the point of filling a small creek with Stoddard and parking the rig in it to clean mine off, heh.

Kelsie - another thing to check would be if the oil filter o-ring is double-sealed (as in the o-ring from the previous filter got stuck on the housing, then the new filter and 'ring put on over it). I highly doubt it though, definitely looks like a rear main. Something to keep in mind though, especially if you do your own maintenance

Kelsie.XJ · 08-26-2010, 12:52 PM

Thanks so much for the replies! Glad to know I'm not alone and that it's a fairly easy fix! Can anyone point me towards an article perhaps that has pictures and in-depth steps? Like, Main Rear Seal Replacement for Dummies type thing? lol I am not too savvy with the undercarriage. Thanks!!

Kelsie.XJ · 08-26-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeperMatt

I was almost to the point of filling a small creek with Stoddard and parking the rig in it to clean mine off, heh.

Kelsie - another thing to check would be if the oil filter o-ring is double-sealed (as in the o-ring from the previous filter got stuck on the housing, then the new filter and 'ring put on over it). I highly doubt it though, definitely looks like a rear main. Something to keep in mind though, especially if you do your own maintenance

I'm always really careful about that when I change it but it's definitely worth a quick check, thank you!

Steve · 08-26-2010, 01:14 PM

http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f20/just-share-rear-main-seal-9858/

If you have any questions feel free to ask. it was really a straightforward process. Making the brass rod "pusher" tool really helped.

Steve

JeeperMatt · 08-26-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelsie.XJ

Thanks so much for the replies! Glad to know I'm not alone and that it's a fairly easy fix! Can anyone point me towards an article perhaps that has pictures and in-depth steps? Like, Main Rear Seal Replacement for Dummies type thing? lol I am not too savvy with the undercarriage. Thanks!!

BAM!!! Changing the rear main seal