i got a 92 4.0 and its leaking MOTOR oil but the leak is in the back over the crossmember and by the tranny fluid pan, to put it simply it looks like my tranny fluid pan is sweating motor oil theres droplets all over the sides and such

 

Rear main seal most likely. But check your oil filter adapter too, it can be a false alarm to a rear main

 

That can be anything leaking. Every thing that leaks will run down to the rear main seal area. Then when you are in motion, it will drip and the wind will push the oil backwards, ending on the tranny oil pan.

So my advice would be to degrease the engine and take it for a short drive. Then look again for oil leaks. Look at the valve cover (especially the rear), the oil pressure sender, oil filter adaptor, the oil pan, and rear main seal

 

I just drove it around and it seems like theres oil by the dipstick oil filter area.. should i start looking there?

 

My standard response:

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

 

could you send me the exact termonology of the parts you were describing because i can't find them on parts store websites thank you

 

Valve cover gasket, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, distributor gasket (not a likely candidate of your leak but it is possible)

The o-rings for the oil filter adapter can only be found at the dealership. They'll only be a dollar or two.

 

I'm not sure for the OP's 1992 model, but O'reillys has an o-ring kit that has the adapter o-rings included in it, along with several others (injectors, I think).

I had a similar oil leak problem that turned to be the big o-ring on my oil filter adapter. It had hardened and would leak cold until it softened/expanded after engine warm up.

 

Good thread I have some investigating to do

 

mine does quite the opposit it leaks slow and steady until it heats up it starts dripping i'd compare it to a dripping cloth to give you an idea of how fast it drips but i'll look at the oil filter adapter thingy

 

i'm looking very forward to your input i really can use it...

 

Clean it off and start observing for oil leakage starting from top to bottom.

 

i'll definitly do that today after class, since that'll definitly save me a couple bucks

 

i just finished the valve cover gasket it leaks a little bit less now.. which i'm happy about especially since it was my first attempt ever... on the other hand i've noticed that it isn't coming by the oil filter area or the top of the motor. please keep me posted guys with anything new you might find out

 

My guess would be the oil pressure sending unit or the distributor gasket. What kind of valve cover gasket did you use?

P.S. love your signature haha