Just bought an '96 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L HO manual transmission (AX-15).

Some background.

The Cherokee runs great and the odometer read @ 95,000k some weeks ago, when we bought it. It had one owner who provided records of oil changes. maintenance etc. Seems like it is in great shape, however there are a few, minor leaks.I have read where the rear main seal can be a common cause of leaks. I was told by the owner that the rear main seal had recently been changed. However when I read through the documentation he had been keeping the I found a dealer's work order stating the customer denied the main seal repair. So someone may have done the work but not the dealer. I also see receipts from AutoZone around the same date as what is on the dealers work order, for valve cover gaskets, so maybe he just replaced those instead.

Anyway, the one leak I am most concerned about is a drop of fluid dangling from the bottom of the bottom bolt on what I believe is the clutch housing plate. When I look directly up above the wet bolt, to the area where the oil pan and clutch housing meet I see the gap in the picture below. First question: Should a gap, as indicated by the space between the red arrowheads on the above pic, exist between the clutch housing and the oil pan?

If the gap should exist, could the fluid be dripping from the gap? Is this near where the rear main seal resides? Could this be clutch fluid?

If the gap should not exist, would I just use some RTV to seal it?

 

Check the back of the valve cover for leaks and the oil filter adapter. If they aren't the source replace your rear main seal.

 

Go back under and flash a light on your oil filter. If there is oil on the under side of it then you could be dealing with an oil filter adapter leak instead. Seems more common than the rear main.

 

Will do, thanks.

Do you know if the gap shown in the picture between the oil pan and clutch housing plate is supposed to be there?

 

Yep, it's normal.

 

Whew! Figured the fitment couldn't be that bad...

Will scope out valve cover gasket. Thanks Again!

 

Your Welcome


BTW,
Welcome to the Forum!

 

Thank you. Seems as though engine block has fluid on rear drivers side rear while, the rest of block seems dry.

Looks like I will be searching a valve cover gasket write up ...

 

Your gasket is reuseable. Pull the cover, clean the gasket and gasket surfaces, add a little TRV and reassemble.

FYI,
Jeeps don't leak...they mark their territory.

 

That's the underside of your xj?? It's cleaner than my dogs mouth! My advice to you is go find a mud puddle

 

Clutch plate was "spruced up" for the Cherokee Forum debut pic...