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Mystery Leak...

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Old 05-25-2011, 11:53 AM
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Default Mystery Leak...

I have fluid leaking onto my differential and drivers side frame. I have replaced. Oil pan gasket, Power steering pump and lines and ran stop leak through pretty much every applicable areas. It is still leaking. It is annoying me to no end. Any help is much appreciated. The fluid is light brown. It doesn't leak when Idling so it is very hard to find where it is coming from, by the time i see any hint of a leak the whole area is covered with fluid. Thanks for any help.

(I have used the search function for many nights searching my issue so please don't refer me to that)
Old 05-25-2011, 12:05 PM
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Are you getting blow by in your air box ?

Old 05-25-2011, 12:23 PM
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A little bit yes but it isn't dropping below the filter into the box or anything.
Old 05-25-2011, 12:33 PM
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Here are a few Visual Aids, My axel and tie rods ect. are painted flat black so the shine is all fluid.
Attached Thumbnails Mystery Leak...-img_20110525_132759.jpg   Mystery Leak...-img_20110525_132830.jpg   Mystery Leak...-img_20110525_132910.jpg   Mystery Leak...-img_20110525_132914.jpg  
Old 05-25-2011, 01:24 PM
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is your steering box leaking at the pitman arm seal?
Old 05-25-2011, 01:36 PM
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It might be, I'm not sure. There is fluid dripping from the pitman arm so that would be an accurate assumption. Do you think I'll have to replace the whole box?
Old 05-25-2011, 01:42 PM
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yea mine looked the same way when my seal blew (only mine blew at the bottom of a rocky trail 10 minutes into a wheeling trip).

You can rebuild them, but IMO it's not worth it. You can grab a bigger, stronger box out of a Dodge Durango and bolt that right in. That's that I did.

My write-up is here is you indeed find out that is the cause of your issue
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/du...houghts-84331/
Old 05-25-2011, 01:57 PM
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It looks like we had about the same leak covered area. I think I'm going to try the swap. Thanks for contributing a write-up I'll for sure be using it. That sucks to have it blow out right at the beginning of a trip. Hope it didn't ruin the whole day.
Old 05-25-2011, 02:47 PM
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nope, i just had to man handle the steering the entire day
Old 05-28-2011, 07:29 PM
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Well the leak us still there I've ruled out power steering. I think it was contrubuting because originally it smelt like power steering fluid. However now it smells and looks like oil. Heeeellpp. I've sunk hundreds of dollars into fixing the leak and I haven't gotten anywhere
Old 05-28-2011, 07:58 PM
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did you have some one turn the wheel with xj running and look at the line to pump
Old 05-28-2011, 09:06 PM
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Yes, The power steering is in 100% working order. Dry as a whistle. New lines, pump, reservoir and gear box.
Old 05-28-2011, 09:45 PM
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check trans cooler hoses
Old 05-28-2011, 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by dukie564
yea mine looked the same way when my seal blew (only mine blew at the bottom of a rocky trail 10 minutes into a wheeling trip).

You can rebuild them, but IMO it's not worth it. You can grab a bigger, stronger box out of a Dodge Durango and bolt that right in. That's that I did.

My write-up is here is you indeed find out that is the cause of your issue
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/durango-gear-box-zj-steering-bar-swap-afterthoughts-84331/

the pitman arm seal kit is $11 and takes all of an hour to replace..just sayin.

OP, figure out wich of your fluids is the same color as the leaking fluid. once you figure out what it is, spray everything off real good and run some dye thru there.

Last edited by rompnXJ; 05-29-2011 at 11:28 AM.
Old 11-07-2012, 12:20 AM
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Hello all,


New to the forum.
I think I've got the same deal.

86 Cherokee with mystery fluid leaking in the same area.
Definitely steering, since it didn't steer too good when I took 'er 'round the block.

Also, it seems like the transmission seal blew at the engine.
All this happened in the same week.
I'm blaming Martians.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Ian
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Last edited by IGWright; 11-07-2012 at 12:33 AM.


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