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96 Xj leaking Oil

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Old Sep 12, 2024 | 03:38 PM
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From: California
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default 96 Xj leaking Oil

I know oil leaks are a vast topic on here and I've posted about mine before. I got my Xj a year and a half ago at 157xxx and currently sitting at 175xxx. I replaced my RMS at 160xx along with oil pan gasket to see if that would fix my original leak which it didn't. I replaced the Valve cover gasket at 165xxx. I found out my head gasket weeps a little oil on the passenger side but not enough to raise concern as my mechanic dad said. It's been leaking a good 3-4 in diameter cirlce for a few weeks now but I havent seen it legitametely drip until after it was parked and shut off
I've been driving it a little hard lately as it feels a little sluggish and I think it's running rich, but I went on a short drive to the mountains the other day and this morning I noticed it dripping down the front of the flexplate while sitting to warm up. Anyone have any ideas on what it could be coming from? My oil level is slightly down but still in the safe area and I did an oil change 1200 miles ago.

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Old Sep 12, 2024 | 06:23 PM
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If the back of the block is wet, then you need to redo the valve cover using the nice blue silicon felpro gasket. The cork ones don't last. Maybe pull off the inspection cover and look inside the bell housing to make sure it isn't the front trans seal.

The weeping on the passenger side is common, and not a concern. The only thing over there is the push rod galleys.
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Old Sep 12, 2024 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by lawsoncl
If the back of the block is wet, then you need to redo the valve cover using the nice blue silicon felpro gasket. The cork ones don't last. Maybe pull off the inspection cover and look inside the bell housing to make sure it isn't the front trans seal.

The weeping on the passenger side is common, and not a concern. The only thing over there is the push rod galleys.
I’ve only used the blue felpro gaskets. I’ll pull the inspection plate off and check it out probably this weekend and then I’ll get back to you. There’s no oil on the back of the block that of concern just residual from getting blown back there.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 12:38 AM
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These old 6's usually leek at the valve cover, rear main and oil filter 90 degree adapter - With the poor quality of replacement parts I follow this rule- if the engine is messy - It's a Jeep. If it leaves a puddle everywhere you park it - fix it
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 01:56 PM
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I have 237000 miles on my motor. I have put 222000 miles on it myself. I have went through and periodically updated and improved on everything regarding the Jeep. Having said that, every seal, gasket, connection that could possible leak engine oil has been replaced, if not once at least twice and some times for a third time. I do have an intermittent leak between the head and the block right behind the distributor. The oil seeps out only after driving highway speeds over 70 for any length of time. Normal around town driving, no seep. The amount that seeps out is more annoying than making a mess....just a few spots on the garage floor. What I have been told is the head developes a slight warp over the years that allows the oil to seep out as it is not under any pressure in that area. I switched to 10w40 from 10w30 and that seemed to help some. Re torquing the head bolts has been suggested with some suggesting new head bolts to do that....others state a new head gasket and others talk about planing the head. At this point the engine has had no internal work. As suggested by many, if in fact that is causing your only oil leak, wait until you have to have the motor tore down to address this.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Very Red XJ
These old 6's usually leek at the valve cover, rear main and oil filter 90 degree adapter - With the poor quality of replacement parts I follow this rule- if the engine is messy - It's a Jeep. If it leaves a puddle everywhere you park it - fix it
Yeah I haven't been concerned by the slight leak it had before but this one is new adn I'm at a loss on what it could be at the monent. Idk if I jut drove it too hard and the leak got worse or what but it doesn't seem to be the normal spot that's leaking, but an entirely different spot now.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 02:01 PM
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Year: 1996
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Originally Posted by BruceB
I have 237000 miles on my motor. I have put 222000 miles on it myself. I have went through and periodically updated and improved on everything regarding the Jeep. Having said that, every seal, gasket, connection that could possible leak engine oil has been replaced, if not once at least twice and some times for a third time. I do have an intermittent leak between the head and the block right behind the distributor. The oil seeps out only after driving highway speeds over 70 for any length of time. Normal around town driving, no seep. The amount that seeps out is more annoying than making a mess....just a few spots on the garage floor. What I have been told is the head developes a slight warp over the years that allows the oil to seep out as it is not under any pressure in that area. I switched to 10w40 from 10w30 and that seemed to help some. Re torquing the head bolts has been suggested with some suggesting new head bolts to do that....others state a new head gasket and others talk about planing the head. At this point the engine has had no internal work. As suggested by many, if in fact that is causing your only oil leak, wait until you have to have the motor tore down to address this.
The weeping isn't reall the concern I'm having. It's been doing that for 20000 miles and it's just a little messy. Now I'm leaking behing the block where I haven't seen it leak this much before. I sat under it with it on an warmed up and it was just dripping out while I was down there.
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