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Oil leak at bottom bellhousing and transmission pan
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
I changed the drain plug, wiped everything down real good and am waiting to see another spot on the driveway. It does look like there's some sort of moisture on the backmost bolt on the exhaust manifold, which I presume would come from the valve cover. Just seems weird that a fel pro gasket would blow in under 2 years... was installed by dealership so I'd have a hard time believing mechanic error. If I see any more drips I guess I'll go ahead and replace it.
I replaced my RMS not even 1000 miles ago so I am hoping that this leak is not that again but I noticed a small oil drip on my bell housing and transmission pan. I put the UV additive in my oil and it doesn’t seem like oil is coming from the RMS but rather the fly wheel cover? I would appreciate input. Thanks!
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. A little tip here. Rather than use a dizzy gasket, use an o ring instead. NAPA #727-2024. Tips 12 and 13 will help you get your distributor back in place correctly.
I'm sorry - I've dug through so many threads and your response here seems the most recent.
I'm a visual person....do you know where I can find a diagram of the Oil pressure sending Unit or the Oil filter adapter? 1995 Cherokee XJ sport.
EDIT: I'm dumb as fk. I realized I knew what the Sending Unit was just not by name. I am still slightly confused as to where the gasket is on the oil filter adapter but I guess I'll find out the next time I do my oil change!
I'm trying to hunt down my own oil leak and replaced the valve cover gasket. It didn't fix it so I was planning on doing the oil pan gasket next, but then came across your order of checking things. It totally makes more sense to check those two first.
Last edited by BigRedBtch; Jan 6, 2024 at 11:09 PM.
Reason: update
The gasket they're talking about is in between the right angle adapter/oil filter base and the engine block.
The Torx bolt that goes through it into the block can be a real beotch to get out. Sometimes not.
Search the threads here on that subject for tips, tricks and tool recommendations that take the pain & frustration out the job.
