Mechanic says oil leak is bad
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita,CA
Year: 2000 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
So i took my xj to my mechanic to fix my oil leak, apparently I have multiple leaks and he says "everything that can leak is leaking". So he would have to take the engine out to replace all the gaskets and such. His estimate 1200-1400 bucks.......is that about what I should expect? I don't have that much so I guess ill start saving. I think I'm gonna go ahead and replace the valve cover and oil pan gaskets myself and see about my oil filter adapter. Maybe I can slow the leaks down until I get enough money for that.
Ummm valve cover is a piece cake to replace im pretty low on the mechanically inclined list thought I might add that in. When I did it i went to town with paint and new breather cause i broke it,PCV for giggles with new grommets. The rear main seal is a pain in the you know to get to but the seal replacement itself is easy yet a bit tricky.
Then again I have a lift so it may be a little harder for you if you dont.
Last edited by bigboy813; Jan 31, 2012 at 09:52 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by bigboy813
Lols wtf 1200-1400.
Ummm valve cover is a piece cake to replace im pretty low on the mechanically inclined list thought I might add that in. When I did it i went to town with paint and new breather cause i broke it,PCV for giggles with new grommets. The rear main seal is a pain in the you know to get to but the seal replacement itself is easy yet a bit tricky.
Then again I have a lift so it may be a little harder for you if you dont.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Metroplex
Year: '90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix
take about $5.00 in quarters, maybe a can of engine degreaser and go spend some quality time at the car wash. and keep on cleaning until you can see metal and arn't afraid to touch the engine including from underneath, get all the engine compartment and trans area. Then drive it a few days, now you can see where the problems are. Thats the only way to see what's goin on. I did it to mine and have been oil free for two weeks. The previous oil and sludge was from 19yrs of never being cleaned. we look purdy now.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
What you REALLY need to not get wet is your distributor. Make sure to cover that up if you decide to pressure wash your engine (which I would highly recommend doing so that you can get a better idea of where the leaks are coming from)
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
You can dry out a distributor. The TPS gets ruined.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by speed3
take about $5.00 in quarters, maybe a can of engine degreaser and go spend some quality time at the car wash. and keep on cleaning until you can see metal and arn't afraid to touch the engine including from underneath, get all the engine compartment and trans area. Then drive it a few days, now you can see where the problems are. Thats the only way to see what's goin on. I did it to mine and have been oil free for two weeks. The previous oil and sludge was from 19yrs of never being cleaned. we look purdy now.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by bigboy813
Lols wtf 1200-1400.
Ummm valve cover is a piece cake to replace im pretty low on the mechanically inclined list thought I might add that in. When I did it i went to town with paint and new breather cause i broke it,PCV for giggles with new grommets. The rear main seal is a pain in the you know to get to but the seal replacement itself is easy yet a bit tricky.
Then again I have a lift so it may be a little harder for you if you dont.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: Smithfield, VA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Not necessarly.
Since mine was on the fritz I figured what have I got to loose. Took a putty knife and a hammer and it split apart at the seams. Cleaned it out, gave it a layer of dielectric grease and epoxied it back together. Been driving a week now with no issues. Granted it might quit tomorrow but for now its fine.
Now I understand the ole saying that necessity if the mother of invention. Actually fixed one of my power lock actuators the same way.

Since mine was on the fritz I figured what have I got to loose. Took a putty knife and a hammer and it split apart at the seams. Cleaned it out, gave it a layer of dielectric grease and epoxied it back together. Been driving a week now with no issues. Granted it might quit tomorrow but for now its fine.
Now I understand the ole saying that necessity if the mother of invention. Actually fixed one of my power lock actuators the same way.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Not necessarly.
Since mine was on the fritz I figured what have I got to loose. Took a putty knife and a hammer and it split apart at the seams. Cleaned it out, gave it a layer of dielectric grease and epoxied it back together. Been driving a week now with no issues. Granted it might quit tomorrow but for now its fine.
Now I understand the ole saying that necessity if the mother of invention. Actually fixed one of my power lock actuators the same way.

Since mine was on the fritz I figured what have I got to loose. Took a putty knife and a hammer and it split apart at the seams. Cleaned it out, gave it a layer of dielectric grease and epoxied it back together. Been driving a week now with no issues. Granted it might quit tomorrow but for now its fine.
Now I understand the ole saying that necessity if the mother of invention. Actually fixed one of my power lock actuators the same way.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita,CA
Year: 2000 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Red Lion, PA
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
somebody probably already said it but 4.0s dont leak from many places. To say the engine needs to be pulled is just them trying to get some extra money from your wallet. The main leaking places are: oil filter adapter, rear main seal, possibly pan gasket, and the valve cover gasket. all are fairly easy to do. If you or a friend is good with cars or engines, i would do it yourself


