Above are some pics I just took. I brought it into the mechanic yesterday and he completely cleaned all of the oil & grease off so it was dry & then ran it for 2 miles and it started seeping. This is after 1 day and a total of about 15-20 miles driven on it all highway.

I talked to him today and he said it should be fine on the trip just keep some oil with me to top off in case the levels get low.

 

Here are some additional engine bay pics

 

Its not the head gasket causing the drips on the ground. You got something else leaking and I am betting its the valve cover gasket since the oil pan is still dry. Typically if its the oil filter adapter, oil pan gasket or rear main seal, the oil drips off the pan and not the trans.

 

The valve cover gasket looks new and the seepage is the only sign of any leaking we can find. Where should I look to see if it's coming from anywhere else?

 

If it's the rear main, it'll be pooling where it's dripping from the bell housing in your pic—just behind the dust cover. You can remove that lower section of the dust cover and check it out.

 

Around here, people would say its time to do some noggin pokin! Start at the top of the engine and work your way down. Reach your hand behind the valve cover and run your finger along where the valve cover meets the head. If the valve cover is leaking, you will get fresh oil on your fingers. Just cause the gasket looks new doesnt mean it was installed right and not leaking. From there, move on to the piece the oil filter mounts to. Run your hand all around it and see if you get any fresh oil. If nothing, do what Jessenator said. Pull the inspection cover off the trans, fire the Jeep up, crawl under there and see if you can watch it drip from the rear main seals area.

 

Cool, thanks for all the advice & tips. BTW this is probably a stupid question but is there any issues with mixing different weighted oils?? I'm just not sure what was put in it before I bought it but don't want to put something different to top off if it is going to cause any issues.

 

If you're talking less than a quart per change? Sure, but I wouldn't dilute it more than that, even if it's safe. But I'm weird and neurotic like that.

One of the best things you can do for your engine (and seals...) is keep your changes consistent

 

It's not even a tiny little bit of a problem. Mix & match.

That's not true of everything on a car. For example, transmissions can be ruined by the wrong stuff.

But not the engine. Put whatever you want into it, just keep up with the changes.

That's not to say all engine oils are the same - far from it! But you aren't going to hurt your engine by putting in something different from what's in there.

If you are away from home, and it needs to be topped up, and the only thing available is the convenience store no-name 10w-40, fine, put it in there and don't worry about it.

Once you get your oil leak squared away, you might want to decide on your preferred oil, and try to be consistent with it. Of course, your preferred oil should be Rotella, but far be it from me to tell you what kind of oil to use.

;-)

By the way, my two inexperienced sons replaced the head gasket on mine last summer. Took them two days, but it got done with no problems. We replaced the lifters, water pump, hoses, and T-stat at the same time.

 

Do you guys know the best place to get the head gasket kit? Does it matter if it is mopar or aftermarket?

 

FelPro has a great reputation. I got mine from NAPA.

 

cool what did it cost your for the parts?

 

My 01 is doing the exact same thing yours is. Pictures almost look identical. This is even after I replaced the valve cover gasket, oil filter adapter o rings, and resealed the oil pressure sending unit. seeping from the HG enough to be noticeable after drives. Leaves a little puddle on the ground after it heats up, rolls back to the trans bell housing and falls to the ground.

I selected to replace my HG because my chief doesnt like me leaving a jeep pee puddle in the fire barn..

Interesting to hear you have the exact same (looking) symptoms. I suppose I could just run it but I'm the type of guy who likes the satisfaction of fixing any quirks I can.

Plus I have a ticking noise just at idle that I think will require some head work while I'm in there...

 

Any oil is better than no oil!! I mix and match if I have to. It makes me itch a bit but only until the next oil change.

That's a really nice looking engine bay, I'm jealous!