Well like many jeeps, Im leaking oil from somewhere. Its not puddling on the ground or anything, but there is a drip that will hand from the bellhousing. There is oil ( black thick stuff ) on the sides of the engine and there is "Blow by" where the tranny tunnel ( under the car where the trans and xfer case it, how its like tunneled ) is on the underside of the car. Obviously the further you go back the less there is. I did put my hand between the engine and trans ( where the rear main seal is ) and it wasnt wet, but had like that oil/dirt mix, thick black paste stuff.

So I did change out the valve cover gasket today, since its the fastest and easiest change out... Im hoping ( dont we all haha ) that is it. Im also chaging out my motor mounts soon, so the filter adapter will get new o-rings too. Oh yeah the adapter is covered in that oil mix thick stuff too.

So any idea on where it could be? Like I said, she doesnt leave spots, but I do smell oil ( like dripping on something hot, smell ) when I hammer on her on the highway ( once I pull off and park ) or even when Im running higher RPMs while wheeling.

 

My standard response:


I'd be looking up above first. A leak at the back of the valve cover could produce the same symptoms. Don't jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon just yet.

Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for 2 simple reasons. First off, the engine sits nose-up and oil will run back to that area. Secondly, the RMS area is also the lowest point on the engine. Simple physics and the old plumber's adage apply here. "$hit flows downhill".

Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket have to be eliminated as possibilities first.
Revised 3-23-2012

 

Alright man thanks. I did the VC gasket like I said. Im going to do the adapter ones soon.

Now where is the sending unit,, gotta look that up and the distributer seals too.

 

Sending unit is just above the oil filter adapter and to the left of the distributor.

 

Whats the best way to remove all of that black gunk/old oil
? edited: can you link me to the dist. seal? I cannot find it via rock auto or advance auto

edited. I found the distributer seal, part number at advance is 70051

 

Clean everything off with an engine degreaser, Oil Eater, Simple Green etc.

Try to avoid spraying anything near the Throttle Position Sensor.

 

Well today I just looked at the oil sending unit and it seems to be not that old nor is it covered in oil. The threads arent neither. so Im guessing it was the valve cover gasket that was bad... The oil only seems to be on the passenger side and the back of the motor.

 

Those O rings on the passenger side, that leak where it blows back on the motor will be a little harder tomorrow then they were yesterday. When it does leak enough to bother you you might hit it with a can of degreaser, then blast it all good at the car wash 1/2 hr later and have a look.

 

i just replaced my valve cover gasket two months later i was replacing the head cover gasket it is runnin strong now 133000 miles

 

I was reading the head gasket doesnt have pressurized oil, or something like that.

 

Go to oreilly or any parts store and get the uv oil dye, it's a tiny bottle and cheap like under five bucks and borrow or buy a uv ac light harbor freight I think has them super cheap. Add the dye to your oil and drive for a day or so then start hunting with the light. You will be glad you got the light it is a great tool to just have around and you will use it more than you think. Good luck!