Here is how to check for leaks(what i found to work anyways). first check by feel and sight:

work from top to bottom-run your fingers along the back of the block where the valve cover is. and look around the valve cover visually to see if there is any oil.
Then check your oil sending unit, they are prone to leak-alot. it will spray oil up to where the head and the block meet and spray oil everywhere even the on the back of the motor. even if you do not see it happening....
Then check your oil filter adapter, if it is not silvery and it is black, its leaking. again feel the adapter and the surrounding block.
Then Check your oil pan, i have seen a few leak....
Then pull your inspection plate like mentioned before and check for oil there.

oil is sealed in the block by ONLY these gaskets:
valve cover
head gasket
oil filter adapter/sending unit/filter
oil pan
front main
rear main

So unless you have a crack somewhere those are the only gaskets that could possibly leak. other than that it is the oil cap, dip stick, drain plug, PCV/CCV valve that could be leaking but thats unlikely.


and if all else fails, pressure wash then degrease, then pressure wash, then degrease then pressure wash again and get it all clean, put some dye in and wait!

 

Mine was a pretty significant leak, there would be a 3-4" puddle under mine. Yours doesn't sound like too bad of a leak, so it probably wouldn't cover the crossmember or tranny pan.

 

Just an update but mine is not leaking tranny fluid. It is oil and its coming from, you guessed it, my rear main. This is really frustrating seeing as I only have about 2500 to 3k on the motor. Its sitting at there shop as we speak being repaired free of charge. I guess for $4k the warranty better cover it. Lol. Maybe this time they'll do it right I doubt they wanna continue working on my rig unpaid. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Glad you found out what the problem was!

 

Me too. Thanks again for the help. And I would do this myself but why when the shop will for free? Lol. Maybe they get it right this time. Thanks again.

 

No problem bro. I hear ya on that. lol

 

Dyes RULE for finding leaks. Dump 2 bottles in the oil spout, run the engine for about 5 minutes, then use a black light to find the leaks. All your leaks will show a fluorescent greenish color. (The dye is fluorescent orange but when it mixes with the oil it turns greenish). I found four leaks yesterday. My leaks are: rear of oil pan, oil filter adapter, rear of valve cover, and oil sending unit (all famous 4.0L leaks).

The dye doesn't impact the utility of any fluid. Can be used in oil, tranny fluid, power steering, etc.

You can get the dye and black light on Amazon.

 

Oops, tried to re-post the same message (above).

 

99' Cherokee Sport, 4.0L, Auto, stock

I'll be attacking my rear main seal here in about a week. My buddy sent me a message that the 4.0 has a habit of 'gouging' the cam shaft causing even a new seal to leak.

Anybody heard of this issue? Any fixes?

Thanks,

 

Jesus H. Christ you paid $4k for a new engine? You could have bought a couple Cherokee's for that much cash.