I did an oil change on my 96 xj today which seemed to go of without a hitch until I was finished. That is when I noticed a small oil leak coming from the front of the transmission where the engine and tranny meet. I double checked to make sure that the drain plug and filter were tight and that they were not leaking. Anyone know whats up? It's just a small leak directly across from the drain plug on the front of the tranny.

its a jeep... its not leaking its just marking its territory

very true

One of two things.

1) Rear main seal. Dedicate one day and maybe $20-25 to fix.

2) Valve Cover Gasket. Dedicate maybe 1 hour and $10-15 to fix.

These are notorious leakers. If there is oil on the starter, it will be the oil filter adapter o-rings. I didn't even try to fool with this. I paid the money to have my mechanic replace them along with the motor mounts.

[QUOTE=1991Jeep_Man;984129]One of two things.

1) Rear main seal. Dedicate one day and maybe $20-25 to fix.

Hello 1991Jeep_Man,

I have the same leak started today, I just changed the oil filter housing orings and trans line to stop those leaks last week. Had my ac charged on the way home today and when I got about 30 miles from home smoke out from under the back got under it and it seems to be coming from between the tranny and engine. can you give me a run down on difficulty fixing this?

thanks

1996 cherokee classic 4.0

i just did my rear main seal yesterday, and its not hard its just a p.i.t.a! everything is a tight squeeze. its hard to get the oil pan between the axle and the trans, and there are 28 bolts in the oil pan... watch the youtube vid "jeep 4.0 rear main seal" this should help you threw it if you decide to tackle this project. if its a small leak i would just let it leak tell it gets bad unless you like oil dripping on your face while your trying to jam a oil pan under the motor and hold a gasket in place. just my .02

I think it might be the rear main seal also.

sounds like your rear main seal,but check up further towards your engine and make sure its not blowing back to were you see it leaking,it could be coming from somewere else before you start on the rear main seal fix.

check the valve cover gasket but its most likely rms.
ive fixed my vavle cover and oil filter adapter but have been too scared to tackel the rear main seal leak.

Thanks,

I have been chasing leaks since I got it a few months ago.... must be OCD but I fixed all the leaks, waited a day then degreased and washed the engine a week ago, thought I was all good no leaks (very impressed with myself). so I treated myself to the ac recharge for 150 bucks and no joke started blowin smoke on the way home, you cant make this ***** up!!! got under it and the rear seal area is wet and dripping onto the exhaust pipe, therefore smoke....it is not a big leak but of course has to drip onto the exhaust. Here we go again. But I love drivin this Jeep so I will keep fixin it....

maybe I'm wrong on this, but I think if it is hitting the exhaust pipe that means it's coming from above which would be the valve cover. Mine was leaking on the rear and was dripping down all over the down pipe and transmission housing. Smoked and stank till i replaced the valve cover gasket and retorqued the bolts, which is pretty easy to do. It could be the RMSthough without having looked at it - I've not dealt with that one... yet... and with wind blowing it all around I guess it could blow up on the exhaust enough to smoke. With it all degreased like you said it was, it should be easier to track down at least!

ima have to agree it sounds alot like what issue i was having when i first bought my jeep

i did an oil change a couple days ago and it was fine. came home yesterday with a trail of oil. put everything on right just the way i was taught , and now theres a huge puddle under my jeep of oil. put down my oil pans cuz im a broke fool so any suggestions?

Are you sure the gasket on the old oil filter came off with the filter? You may have two gaskets under your oil filter if not, and that could cause a big leak.

The other possibility is the oil filter adapter is leaking. Mine started leaking after I had some trouble removing a stuck oil filter and had to use some force. That makes a good puddle.

Lastly, make sure you didn't crack/break your oil pressure sending unit when you pulled your old oil filter out or put your new filter in. That would blow every bit of oil out of your engine.

everything came off just like it was supposed to that i could see to be honest i think it did but its been awhile since ive done an oil change. the old filter idk when i was last changed i had to use a wrench on it, the oil drain plug was so gunked up i cleaned it up and it went on and felt good and tight. the filter i put on the right way 3/8 of a turn to a full turn or 3/4 i put a full turn on it.
not sure if it matters but when i got it the oil pressure gauge wasnt working and still isnt .

wheres the oil sending unit and how do i test it?