so i need some help with a very minor but annoying problem. i would like to first point out im new to this whole forum thing, and rather new to the cherokee thing. but my problem is i have an oil leak in the tiny crack in the very front of the tranny. were the engine and transmission meet basically, now it is OIL not transmission fluid. my mechanical know how is very limited right now so thats the best i can describe it. but any who, the oil leak is very slow, i put more oil in like every month and a half or so. yet when im driving down the road it will leak and the oil will swing back and hit the exhaust right behind it. thus causing it to smoke and its annoying. so i was wondering if anyone knew a way to fix this problem with out doing the craziness the mechanics said would have to be done

 

rear main seal or valve cover.

both can be done in the drive way pretty easily. just takes time

 

most likely rear main seal. you will find quite a few threads on this if you use the search function. welcome to the forums!

 

Or the O ring behind the oil filter housing ...

 

thanks alot, im about 98% sure is the rear main seal. i just dont know how its drive way work because i did some research and it looks like ima have to take the tranny out to get to it. unless there is an easier way?

 

X2 the O-ring on the oil filter housing.

 

You just drop the oil pan and the crank bearing caps and brace if you have one.

 

Yeah it's pretty easy the first one I did two me about two hours one the ground..

 

I had the EXACT same problem with the same symptoms you are describing and it turned out the leak wasnt coming from between the engine and transmission it was actually coming from the o-ring behind the "oil filter adapter". It then ran along a small ledge along side the motor and finally worked it's way down to come out the lowest point which is where you are describing. Since everything is black and dirty in this area and the ledge is kind of hidden it's easy to miss seeing the oil her and rule this out as the source. If it's not this then only other choice is rear main seal.

 

X2