So I have an oil leak and im tired of seeing wisps of smoke coming out from under my XJ when I am stopped in traffic.

I went ahead and "re-snugged" the Valve cover bolts as they were finger tight.

Test drove it,leak is still there.

Took it to the car wash,sprayed the engine down with Purple Power and hosed the crap out of it. Got it pretty clean around where I see the leak. Took it to a dry spot,let it idle for like 5 minutes...No leak. Drove it home,looked under it and the leak has returned.

Looks like its running down by the starter,so Im gonna take the starter out to investigate more.

Im also gonna check around my oil filter adapter.

I wanted to replace the O rings when I had it off a couple of months ago but the dealership quoted me like $8 for each of the little ones and said the Large one was on permanent back order status( In other words...Not available).Yeah that $8 a piece for a measley O ring hit me real hard.

If it does turn out that I need the O rings(which im certain I do),is there a Jeep/AMC/Mopar part number anyone can provide for the O rings? Are they REALLY that expensive

Are there alternative O rings that I can use as a substitution that I can find at the hardware store?

This leak business is driving me NUTS!!!

Any chance the cylinder head needs to be retourqued,causing the leak? I replaced the head in August and torqued it according to specs in the book.

So lets say its not the Valve cover leaking and its NOT the Oil Filter adapter leaking,and its not the oil sending unit,what does that leave? Rear Main...Right?

 

I would say my first guess is oil filter adapter. Aside from the gasket kit I would also try to get a new adapter housing as well. I was told they are made from aluminum and get torqued from heat very easily and once that happens it will never have a good seal against the block. I would look at the oil dip stick tube and where it mates to the block. Lastly would be the rear main. Good Luck!!

 

One tip on O-Rings, alot of people like to use grease on them...
DO NOT DO THAT, the grease will cause the rubber to dry out and crack.
Just use regular motor oil on it if you want it lubricated.
Same thing goes for the O-ingon the oil filter.

Valve cover gaskets, I use silicone on both the top and lower side then tighten all the bolts evenly.

 

Hey there. My 90 just needed O rings. Was last century. I remember it being a *****. I nearly had a fit just starting the threads right for some reason. I don't remember where I got the rings but it wasn't a dealer. Most O rings are common sizes. Also do be sure your venting on the valve cover is free and working. Case pressure from something clogged can make leaks worse. There is quite a bit to be found searching that oil filter mount business. Have fun!

 

I bought all the o-rings from my dealer for less than $10. No need to replace the adapter. I've never heard of one distorting.

 

NAPA $1.99 for the O ring I just bought one for my 96 this past thursday I have not had the time to put it on yet and if you ever be like me and break the oil pressure sensor switch its $33.00 at Autozone....dont ask how I did that...ill just leave it to that

 

http://www.mcmaster.com/#o-rings/=epoe6b

Pretty much any piece of of hardware can be found here. This link is to the o-ring section. Look around the site, it is pretty cool.

 

I replaced the o-rings in my XJ last week. Thanks to the tips in this forum, it only took me about 45 minutes. A couple of hundred miles later, my starter is oil-free for the first time in years.

I got the 3 o-ring pack at a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer for $4.10, the Mopar part number is 4720363.

 

Is that the correct part number for a Renix motor?

 

No. The dealer sells the Renix o-rings individually, 3 of them.

 

Any help on getting that dam bolt out, I tried my mech tried and almost broke the houseing.