I have a 1999 Cherokee with the 4.0 liter inline-6. I changed the o-rings for the oil filter adapter with no real qualms about it. Yesterday I drove it and noticed an oily smell, but really brushed it off. On the way home I noticed a MASSIVE smoke cloud behind my truck. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the bottom of the truck was covered in oil and was falling on the exhaust pipe. I was able to get home and left it there. This morning, there was an ocean of oil under the vehicle and the lipstick was dry. I noticed a stream of oil dripping from the rear crank seal but since the whole truck bottom is doused in oil, I can't really see where it's coming from. Any comments?

 

rear main seal, oil pan or head gasket are the 3 that i can think of that would cause that much oil loss

 

I take it that the rear seal is a nightmare to change...

 

sort of, bout the hardest part is gettin the pan off with the oil pump still on

 

I Had the same thing happen, oil pressure sending unit majically broke off after an oil change. It was almost too late. Double check it, same exact description.

 

Where exactly is that sending unit? While I was changing the o-rings, I noticed a loose connector with two pins just hanging there. The oil pressure indicator giving me a reading but that connector is giving a bad feeling... The connector is on the right side near the oil filter adapter.

 

Did you change the oil filter? If so, the gasket from the old filter could cause that. My friend did the exact same thing with his ford escape, he left the old gasket on, and all of his oil dumped out.

 

No filter change. Put it back after changing the o-rings.

 

The thing that gets me is the leak looks like it's coming from the left side of the engine. Left footwell is also wet (hell, the whole damned truck is wet)! Am I correct in saying that engine oil acts in strange ways and travels through the weirdest places?

 

Clean 'er off with some engine cleaner and watch for the leak. While coincidences can happen and you *may* have blown a main seal..I always suspect the last thing I disturbed, lol. If you were repairing the oil filter adapter...chances are pretty good the leak is somehow related.
Adapter, filter, pressure sensor...

 

To all, thanks for the information. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

 

I agree with Radi, check the last thing you did first.

I did the motor mounts a few months back and you have to remove the oil filter adapter to change the passenger mount. I put it all back together but I guess it wasn't seated correctly because every drop of oil in my motor was on the ground in two seconds when I started it up.

 

im 95% sure its going to be your oil pressure sending unit. before i changed mine oil would spit out of the back of the connector spraying everywhere. pull the connector, and if there is a ton of oil id say thats it. its an easy fix so hopefully thats it.

 

Massive leak? I doubt is the rear main seal....they don't just brown.
I will check the oil filter and oil sensor like some have mentioned.

Torque everything to spec (search FSM),
1)Valve Cover
2)Oil Pan
3)Oil Filter
4)Oil Sensor (remove and use some thread sealant and install)

Next, spray some purple power and rinse off engine bay.

Start engine and watch for leaks.


GL

 

Do I have to align the holes in the spindle that goes inside the oil filter adapter with anything else or does it really matter? I didn't pay attention to that when I changed it... Also, if I tighten the screws from the oil and transmission pans, will it crush the gasket to the point where its useless? I tightened them a bit...