So my 88 xj 4.0 has numerous minor oil leaks, and from what ive heard (which isn't much), it's a common jeep thing. one leak that i remember well off the top of my head is that it looks like motor oil is leaking down the transmission. now im not too worried because it seems like with the leaks it has, it doesnt lose any oil somehow, so im just curious what it could be and how i could fix it?

Why is your oil looking up there? and how?!

hahaha, yea i see the typo now and i forget how to edit the title, "oil leaks" haha

oil leaking down the transmission would most likely be the valve cover gasket

sounds about right, how easy is that?

you can try to snug them up first ,if that dont help its pretty easy fix to remove the cover and install a new gasket on,i got the felpro silicone one

i was looking at getting a new valve cover because my friend has to junk his 97 grand cherokee, and his is black and i think it would look better. he also has a 4.0 do you think it will fit on mine? and would i need to replace the gasket?

yes you gotta do the gasket and not sure about the cover ,non ho and ho motors might be different

Mine does the same thing, I just put some Lucas oil treatment and haven't seen much since.

the holes in the top are different between renix 4.0 and ho 4.0

You mean like this?


Usually either the rear main seal or the valve cover.

just go get new gaskets and replace them and change your oil. Easy fix.

valve cover gasket
oil pan gasket
oil filter o-ring

if its the rear main you have more work on your hands but being that its a Renix its the two piece so you can do it without pulling the tranny.

id count on the rear main here valve cover would be more on the top of the bell housing leaking down

I vote for the oil filter adaptor o-rings ('cause that's what was leaking on mine).