Aw4 phantom leak…
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Let's say the fluid foams. Where's the first place it will leak? Dipstick tube o-ring. Is fluid up that high at any other time if it's not foaming?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 793
Likes: 104
From: Aldie, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
yep 😜
I was suspecting front seal. I cleaned it up and did as suggested, but couldn’t reproduce the leak. It was probably 2 months between the 2 leak events with zero leaks, even after long highway/city drives. I figured if it was a bad front seal it would leak pretty consistently after reaching operating temps. I can drive it all day long, highway speeds, side streets, no problem. Would a bad front seal be so intermittent like that?
Only seems to happen when it’s really hot ambient and I get caught in bad traffic, or the second time the trans was working pretty hard on the gravel road with hills and lots of acceleration/slowing down.
since it seems temp related, even tho it happened with trans reading around 185f, I’m thinking maybe restricted flow thru cooler? No pinched lines or anything, but maybe buildup inside? I could do the flow test from fsm but I’ll start with cruiser’s suggestion and go from there. I’m a firm believer in starting with the simple solutions, po using wrong fluid is pretty simple 😆
I was suspecting front seal. I cleaned it up and did as suggested, but couldn’t reproduce the leak. It was probably 2 months between the 2 leak events with zero leaks, even after long highway/city drives. I figured if it was a bad front seal it would leak pretty consistently after reaching operating temps. I can drive it all day long, highway speeds, side streets, no problem. Would a bad front seal be so intermittent like that?
Only seems to happen when it’s really hot ambient and I get caught in bad traffic, or the second time the trans was working pretty hard on the gravel road with hills and lots of acceleration/slowing down.
since it seems temp related, even tho it happened with trans reading around 185f, I’m thinking maybe restricted flow thru cooler? No pinched lines or anything, but maybe buildup inside? I could do the flow test from fsm but I’ll start with cruiser’s suggestion and go from there. I’m a firm believer in starting with the simple solutions, po using wrong fluid is pretty simple 😆
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 16
From: Ottawa
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If iy was the front seal, it would depend on where the seal was compromised. I had this happen on both of my XJs (98 and 99). The seal was old and brittle. If seal cracks on the upper part, then you'd be ok until the fluid really expands. If it cracks on the bottom half, it would start leaking sooner. After I replaced those seals, it was clear that the "seal conditioner" kinds of products would do nothing. the seal gets brittle, cracks and won't hold fluid.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 16
From: Ottawa
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Update: I did the first drain/fill this morning, the fluid was darker than I expected from the stick, not burnt but a deeper red. I’m sure it will benefit from some new fluid regardless if that’s my issue. Quick question, how long should I wait before repeating? To me as long as it runs/drives for a bit I shouldn’t need to wait long, right?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 16
From: Ottawa
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Perfect, thanks cruiser!
As a side point, I was driving around in a bit of traffic today with pretty warm ambient temps, the trans got up to about 195 on the gauge and I didn’t have any leakage at all. I’m not saying it’s solved, but that’s a good sign based on the past occurrences. Thanks again all.
As a side point, I was driving around in a bit of traffic today with pretty warm ambient temps, the trans got up to about 195 on the gauge and I didn’t have any leakage at all. I’m not saying it’s solved, but that’s a good sign based on the past occurrences. Thanks again all.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 16
From: Ottawa
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Looks resolved…
Just wanted to post an update after a few hundred kms since doing a simple drain/fill.
just got back from a camping trip, the last time I drove there I had the leak-this time, completely fine. It was a pretty hot ambient temp, average trans temps ~150 and peaked at 200f, but no leak at all. I’ll keep an eye on it and post any changes, but I guess the conclusion is either wrong or worn out atf which caused it to overflow out the vent, which dumped it above the bellhouse/flywheel area so it dropped down on the exhaust and appeared to come from inside the bellhouse.
thanks to all who contributed, Im quite relieved it turned out to be a simple fix!
just got back from a camping trip, the last time I drove there I had the leak-this time, completely fine. It was a pretty hot ambient temp, average trans temps ~150 and peaked at 200f, but no leak at all. I’ll keep an eye on it and post any changes, but I guess the conclusion is either wrong or worn out atf which caused it to overflow out the vent, which dumped it above the bellhouse/flywheel area so it dropped down on the exhaust and appeared to come from inside the bellhouse.
thanks to all who contributed, Im quite relieved it turned out to be a simple fix!
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 49
Likes: 16
From: Ottawa
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
So true
Sure helps when trying to find similar cases to diagnose. It’s all about give and take I say. Thanks again to everyone and I’ll post back if anything new comes up.
Sure helps when trying to find similar cases to diagnose. It’s all about give and take I say. Thanks again to everyone and I’ll post back if anything new comes up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Caitlin3223
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
1
Apr 20, 2022 11:28 AM
houstonnash10
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
Sep 3, 2017 06:03 PM
bbrennan2011
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
Apr 28, 2016 02:26 PM
nicksan
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
27
Feb 16, 2016 08:15 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)