I just got a 89 Cherokee 4x4 automatic drove an hour home and seen smoke popped hood and there either oil or brake fluid all over the firewall area??? Smell like rotten eggs my wife said lol idk but the power steering doesn't work it was completely empty so I don't think it was that

 

if p/s is empty and not working you may have blown the high pressure p/s hose..

 

Even though it been that way for 6 months

 

well what else is low? And if youve been driving around with no power steering fluid in the pump im suprised it hasnt locked up and broken the belt

 

I haven't been driving i bought it that way the guy said it been driving that way I only have driven home. Oil is good level power steering was empty when I left from his house but I made it 35 miles then saw smoke popped hood and it was smoking from the fluid dropping on exhaust but it's all over the firewall I couldn't get the best pics

 

The power steering reservoir may have been empty, or appeared empty, but there could have been fluid in the hose..and now that hose may have burst. The location of the junk that your picture showed is where it would have gone too...

It may be brake fluid instead, but brake fluid is pretty clear and not dark like that.

Dig in and see if you need to fix it. If your brakes are working then it is likely the power sterring. Go to the JY and get the parts and fix it up!

Hope this helps!

 

Could it be vent from tranny isn't the hose there

 

Is this transmission vent line

 

You'll find out if it's brake fluid really quick...when your paint starts to bubble up and peel off...use a damp rag and wipe the areas down, just in case. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, water is your friend here...

 

The Brake fluid is full. It doesn't smell the same as brake fluid did and the color doesn't match trans fluid it's very slippery feeling here's pic of rag that I wiped it up

 

look at the p/s hose

 

Its brown Cuz its dirty. I agree with everyone else. Check the power steering hose

 

Ok I will do that in the morning

 

Ok I think I figured it out the vent hose was from transfercase and it was stuck in 4wd so it transfer case fluid going to try to get 4wd to engage to 2wd i goes that why the 4wd part time bulb was gone

 

It looks like fluid from your front diff vent...............
If it smells really bad, and is brown and thick, it is most likely gear-lube.
The transfer case should have ATF in it, and should be red in color, and somewhat thin fluid..............doesn't smell as bad............

If it was stuck in 4WD and one of your front tires is smaller than the other one, you will have alot of binding going on....................I have seen this happen on someone else's XJ last year.............Blew front diff fluid out of the vent hose, all over the engine compartment in the exact same place as the picture you posted.
He said it felt like the brakes were on driving down the road....................
(He blew a tire on the trail, put his little donut spare on, and forgot to take it out of 4WD and proceeded to drive down the highway like that...........Didn't make it very far)

One of the reasons I always carry a spare that's the same tire I run on the other 4 wheels.................