Hey all, I found a deal on a 96 XJ and the seller says it has a slight rear main seal leak...never done one before, so my question is how hard is it to do? He is giving the buyer a new rear main seal and oil pan gasket with the sale too.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Tom

 

It could just be the oil filter adapter o rings leaking and making it look like the rear main. A very simple fix on the cheap.

 

Lots of things look like rear main seal on a 4.0, most oil leaks end up there... Valve cover gasket, filter adapter, oil pressure sending unit, etc. If it is a good deal, snap it up. You are not likely to find any 96's without leaks anyway, so don't let that put you off. They are easy fixes.

 

Hmmm...ok guys, thanks! I'll keep u posted. The guy seems pretty knowledgable so it may be a rear main seal.

 

I've done a few and it ain't to bad just want the engine up and the axle down and the pan will come out

 

If it's a good deal go for it. Like others mentioned there are a lot of things that can look like a rear main seal leak, and since that leak isn't uncommon it's understandable to assume it is (see cruiser54's "standard response" lol)

However the RMS itself doesn't look to bad. I haven't done one but I've seen a few writeups with purdy pictures, just looks like a lot of wiggling really. I'm guessing it'd take me a day in my driveway (I'm a noob so I'm slow).

 

I spray mine with foaming engine degreaser, then blast it off 1/2 hr later at the car wash, then watch right away, (as needed), as sometimes oil blows around and you can't see where it came from. O rings do harden.

http://www.myjeepxj.com/cherokee-rep...filter-adapter