Leak near the bell housing.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 102
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From: Southaven, MS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Does your oil or transmission levels change? Sounds like you have the same problem as I do but I am sure that mine is transmission fluid becuase I keep having to add a little every now and them. I also have noticed that the hotter my jeep runs the more it leaks and drips on my exhaust. I plan on taking the transmission out to replace the seal just haven't felt like it lately...
Last edited by U.A.V.jeep; May 25, 2010 at 12:58 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,275
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From: Alexander City, alabama
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Pull the inspection cover off the tranny and see if there is oil on the bottom inside the bell housing.If there is then you have a bad rear main.They are easy to do.Mine went bad about 3 weeks ago . I did it myself and costed me about $50.This was the first time I ever did one and never saw it done.Make sure you have the torque specs for everything.It took me about 6 to 8 hours.After your done then dicconect the coil wire and turn the engine over for 5 to 10 seconds.Do this 5 to 6 times or til you get pressure.Thats how I primed mine and it worked great.Good luck guys.
And yes offroadnut I think its my tranny leaking. My oil level is perfect everytime I check and the tranny is the only place fluid is present. None on the engine or anything.
Last edited by lliamsdad; May 25, 2010 at 01:27 PM.
Ok sounds like a plan. Now just to ask my engine only has about 2500 miles on it. Would my rear main be leaking if its that new. I mean the engine we dropped in was from Jasper engines. I guess anything could happen. The only prob with dropping the tranny is that my cross member is welded up and I don't have a welder to put it back up after removal hmmm, I guess I don't have much of a choice tho do I? Thanks for the tips.
And yes offroadnut I think its my tranny leaking. My oil level is perfect everytime I check and the tranny is the only place fluid is present. None on the engine or anything.
And yes offroadnut I think its my tranny leaking. My oil level is perfect everytime I check and the tranny is the only place fluid is present. None on the engine or anything.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Alexander City, alabama
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
The bolts holding it up broke on a trail one day and had to tow it home. My tranny and transfer case were hanging from only the pass side. Yeah it sucks. What gets me is that I never had a prob till I had the new motor dropped in. Now it leaks and its all over my tranny and exhaust.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Does your oil or transmission levels change? Sounds like you have the same problem as I do but I am sure that mine is transmission fluid becuase I keep having to add a little every now and them. I also have noticed that the hotter my jeep runs the more it leaks and drips on my exhaust. I plan on taking the transmission out to replace the seal just haven't felt like it lately...
anybody ever use that black light leak detecting stuff?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
Ok sounds like a plan. Now just to ask my engine only has about 2500 miles on it. Would my rear main be leaking if its that new. I mean the engine we dropped in was from Jasper engines. I guess anything could happen. The only prob with dropping the tranny is that my cross member is welded up and I don't have a welder to put it back up after removal hmmm, I guess I don't have much of a choice tho do I? Thanks for the tips.
And yes offroadnut I think its my tranny leaking. My oil level is perfect everytime I check and the tranny is the only place fluid is present. None on the engine or anything.
And yes offroadnut I think its my tranny leaking. My oil level is perfect everytime I check and the tranny is the only place fluid is present. None on the engine or anything.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Alexander City, alabama
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
^ well from the color it looks like oil, but like I mentioned my oil level never changes and there's nothing on or near the engine. It just on the tranny pan, tranny, and everything else from there back. I really appreciate the responses guys but I'm about ready to call the scrap yard. Its been sitting so damn long and I'm sick of it. Anyone in the area wanna help. There's cash/food/beer involved. Lol. I'm lost.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 538
Likes: 3
From: zeeland mi
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
check your valve cover gasket at the back of the motor mine did the same thing and it was the valve cover gasket was bad and oil was running down the back of the motor and down the bell housing i would check that
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
^ well from the color it looks like oil, but like I mentioned my oil level never changes and there's nothing on or near the engine. It just on the tranny pan, tranny, and everything else from there back. I really appreciate the responses guys but I'm about ready to call the scrap yard. Its been sitting so damn long and I'm sick of it. Anyone in the area wanna help. There's cash/food/beer involved. Lol. I'm lost.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0


