Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Oil leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-05-2018, 05:54 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Xj jerry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L in-line 6
Default Oil leak

Found a pretty decent size oil leak but only leaks when engine is running any suggestions on what it could be?
Old 02-05-2018, 06:04 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
killbox916's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Where?

Common spots are valve cover, oil filter housing, oil pan, and rear seal

Last edited by killbox916; 02-06-2018 at 10:05 AM.
Old 02-05-2018, 06:09 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
EZEARL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 5,676
Received 298 Likes on 253 Posts
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
Default

First off WELCOME.

Where do you see it leaking from? Have you done any of these by chance?
Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket, in that order, have to be eliminated as possibilities first.

After replacing the valve cover gasket on mine it eliminated 90% of the leaking.
Old 02-06-2018, 06:59 AM
  #4  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,935
Received 1,540 Likes on 1,247 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Here's how to find it:

I’d be looking up ABOVE first, and VERIFYING the source of the oil leak YOURSELF.

Everybody, who doesn’t own or have to pay for or perform your vehicle repairs, loves to poke their noggin UNDER the Jeep and come out bearing the false bad news that your RMS is leaking. Many mechanics, friends, and good old Uncle Bob seem to enjoy telling you it’s the rear main seal. Has a catastrophic ring to it, doesn’t it?

A simple leak at the back of the valve cover or other source could produce the same symptoms. You don’t need to be a mechanic to figure this out. If you have good eyesight and a dim flashlight, you’re good to go on your own. Don’t jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon right off the bat.

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”.

Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket, in that order, have to be eliminated as possibilities first.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
07Negative
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
01-17-2019 08:38 PM
gaboy1911
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
09-22-2011 08:25 PM
Fuman Shoo
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
5
12-22-2010 01:36 PM
95Cherokee
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
01-22-2010 06:19 PM
mycherokee
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
17
12-12-2009 05:57 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Oil leak



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:03 PM.