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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 12:24 PM
  #1  
Dwestonxj's Avatar
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From: Indiana
Year: 93
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Engine: Big 6
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I have a oil leak that looks like a rear main seal but I just replaced the RMS in June of last year.. What are some other things that could be causeing this problem?? The leak just keeps getting worse.. I know jeeps mark their territory but it shouldn't be this bad..
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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 12:40 PM
  #2  
ZINGGG's Avatar
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
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There are a few different things that can leak on the XJ. Starting from the top: valve cover gasket, oil pressure sender, oil filter adaptor, oil pan, and rear main seal. Basically, anything that leaks above the RMS can mimic an RMS leak by the principle that everything flows downhill. My advice would be to degrease the engine and go for a short drive and really look again. There is a chance that the rear main is still leaking even after replacing but I assume that there is something leaking above it
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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 01:02 PM
  #3  
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Valve cover gasket is good .. Could it leak around. The distributor ???
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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 01:04 PM
  #4  
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Yes that is also a possibility. Something like this could need replacing:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...67698_188113_0_
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
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I've degreased it and it looks like its leaking around the front of the distributor clear back past the oil filter .. The whole length of the block .. Any ideas
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 03:28 PM
  #6  
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
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My standard response which mimmicks what has already been posted:

I'd be looking up above first. A leak at the back of the valve cover could produce the same symptoms. Don't jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon just yet.

Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for 2 simple reasons. First off, the engine sits nose-up and oil will run back to that area. Secondly, the RMS area is also the lowest point on the engine. Simple physics and the old plumber's adage apply here. "$hit flows downhill".

Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket have to be eliminated as possibilities first.
Revised 3-23-2012

You can see it. We can't. It ain't rocket science.
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 06:52 PM
  #7  
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Damn get a little harsh there.. Sorry that I'm new to working on vehicles... Sorry that I'm in highschool working two jobs ... I don't have much free time so I thought I'd ask about it.. I'm just using the best resource I have
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 06:55 PM
  #8  
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You've been given every possibility- twice. The ball's in your court. It's simple observation at your end. Harsh, but true. Sorry for telling you the way it is.........
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 07:00 PM
  #9  
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everyones a foot n a half taller on the internet eh
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Old Apr 26, 2012 | 07:02 PM
  #10  
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Year: 1996
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Originally Posted by jeff2285
everyones a foot n a half taller on the internet eh
Exactly. Sounds like distributor gasket is a good possibility. Let us know what you find.
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