PoorMansWrangler

Hey guys,
So I recently did an oil change in my 2000 XJ, and I have developed a slight oil leak. I went ahead and double checked the filter and the drain bolt, along with a new valve cover and oil pressure sending unit. I still have the leak, and it looks like it is coming from the oil pan area, and dripping onto the flywheel (or so I think) behind it. Is it possible it could just be the oil pan gasket and not the rear main? I used the same oil I have for the past 4 oil changes (Royal Purple), and it decided to spring a leak. I have ordered both an oil pan gasket and rear main seal kit, but I am nervous about doing the rear main. It is lifted up 3 inches, so I don't think I should have too many problems with dropping the pan itself. I will post pictures when I get off work. Thanks!

emx72

Did you rule out the oil filter adapter seal, it drips in such a way that it looks like a rear main seal leak, but it's not.

Turbo X_J

It's better to actually clean the engine so you can pinpoint the source of the leak(s).

Caish

sounds like a rear main seal.
mine leaks some too, but it is an 87 model with a 88 engine, and about 200k on that engine.
when it gets a qt low i add a qt of lucas and that stops it till its time to change it again.
Double check your valve cover, not as common with the steel covers, but my aluminum one use to get loose on its own.
if you have a 3"+ lift its not hard to pull the pan and change the rear main, its a two piece seal.

PoorMansWrangler

Hi guys, so I believe I do not have the oil filter adapter seal since mine is a 2000. If I remember right the ones that have it have a funky 90 degree bend to it, and mine screws straight in. I’ve given it a couple of wipe downs, along with using cardboard under it and I think I have it pin pointed. Here are some pictures for reference.

PoorMansWrangler

cruiser54

Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for two simple reasons:

First off, the engine sits nose-up and any oil will run back to the RMS area.

Secondly, the RMS area is also the lowest point on the engine. Simple physics and the old plumber’s adage apply here: “Crap flows downhill”.

Turbo X_J

Wha?

PoorMansWrangler

I do not have the one that requires the torx bit to remove I believe. I probably should have worded that better haha, as I do have an oil filter adapter