xjohnmatrix

So my front seal has a consistent drip, about a 2-inch diameter on a daily basis. I check every week and top-off my oil just a little bit.

My rear seal has a smaller leak but it's still there.

Question is, are there any major risks having leaks like these? Don't feel like shelling out ~500 to get them fixed. I don't mind adding oil every now and then, but as long as I'm not risking compromising other components.

Thanks for the input,
Brady

bad_idea

As long as you can add oil at a rate to keep up with leaks, you shouldn't damage the engine. But.... how long do you plan to drive the vehicle and what is the cost of oil? A quart a week will add up to $500 at some point.

EZEARL

You sure it's the seals leaking?
http://cruiser54.com/?p=96

SexyDexy

First make sure its not your valve cover gasket. Many people have gone to the effort of replacing their engine seals just find out it was a simple valve cover gasket (a common issue).

bad_idea

Now that you mention valve cover gasket, my 90 was pouring buckets of oil from the valve cover. Changed that $20 gasket and now the Jeep doesn't even drip. The PO was putting a quart a week in for years. $3 x 52 weeks x 2 years = $312 in dumping oil in the driveway. Took me 20 minutes to swap out the $20 gasket.

MonacaYankee

Oil filter adapter o-rings, valve cover gasket.

Will cut your oil leak in half at least.

xjohnmatrix

Thanks gents! Will take a look in the AM.

CurrySoSpicy

"I like you rear-main-seal, that's why I'm going to change you last"

*changes valve cover gasket, no results

"Remember when I said I would change you last, rear-main-seal?"

"Yea Matrix, you did!!!"
.
.
.
.
.
"I lied"


Only Schwarzenegger fans will get this.

jordan96xj

CurrySoSpicy,

I see what you did there. Awesome.

xjohnmatrix

Sully was a good man...RIP. I remember you could see the safety cord while he was holding him over the cliff lol. Great movie.

xjohnmatrix

Well, I'm still a bit confused because I'm not the biggest gear head. Don't know much technical stuff, so here are the main areas I notice oil forming into a teardrop before it drips every now and then. I don't lose much, but it IS noticeable.

Any red flags for an automatic diagnosis?

Thanks again:




I notice oil coming from the front seal? area and making its way back.



The back of this thing seems to have oil coming down it



Oil pan? has some accumulation towards the rear nut

Guywitha92

I used to add a quart a month because of drips. Checked my valve cover gaskets and they were literally finger tight. Torqued them to 7fp, now I don't add any oil between changes

LACK

Looks like you have a trans leak as well. The oil accumulating on the trans pan looks Red like ATF to me. (it could just be the pic)

CurrySoSpicy

Drake once said:

"we started from the bottom, now we here"

dont listen to that **** poor advice. Start from the top. In this order:

1. Valve cover gasket
2. Oil filter adapter o-rings
3. RMS/Oil Pan gasket

i believe the oil pressure sender can have leaky threads as well.

I'm in your boat, my Jeep drips the dark stuff too. I have replaced the valve cover gasket so far. Mayyybe stopped a little bit. Mine leaks so little, I'm half not bothered by it. It leaks around a quarter size drip after I drive it and I drive it like 2 twice a week.

funny story, sometime after changing my valve cover gasket, I pull the XJ in the garage. I look back to see constant drips on my garage floor. I'm thinking " holy ****, NOW that's a leak.

On closer examination, it was GREEN. WTF?? Crawl under and it's streaming down the side of the block. Looks like it's coming from about the middle of the engine bay. Pop hood, and there is coolant laying stagnant on the top mating surface of the valve cover (where the valve cover bolts are).

Turns out i loosened one of the heater hose clamps to make way for the valve cover to come out and never locked it back into place.

Just a feather for your cap or as my boss says "an answer for your back pocket".

bad_idea

The last photo you posted is your transmission pan. The transmission fluid all over that one is a BIG concern. Keep a VERY close eye on your transmission fluid level. If the transmission runs low on fluid, even for a short period of time, you can burn the transmission up.

The engine oil leaks, I wouldn't worry too much. The transmission fluid leaks should be your first priority. Look at the connections where the transmission lines connect to the transmission, they are a click together fitting with o-rings known to leak. You can purchase new fittings at any Auto parts store. Next look at your transmission pan gasket and drain plug gasket. Those are your three common leak points on a transmission I know of.