billzfan88

I just got done replacing the rear main seal and oil pan gasket on my Cherokee.... I don't believe it leaking oil from the new seals.... But I seem to have a very very slow stream of oil running down the right side of the stater flange if your looking at it from underneath... After I installed everything i sparyed it with degreaser and wiped it down a few time..... Is this oil coming from somewhere or just degreaser still cleaning and running off the flange.... There no oil dripping from right underneath the new seal... Nor is there any running down the middle of the trans shield... It's all running right down the flags of the starter

ThunderThighs

Your oil filter adapter, the thing the oil filter screws onto. It has some o-rings in it that leak. That'll be your culprit.

nardey11

X2 on what thunder said

If you have an older xj you might be lucky enough to have a hex head on the end, if not it's a t60 socket and that can be a PITA. I stripped the head on mine, so be careful.

cruiser54

http://cruiser54.com/?p=96

Fred/N0AZZ

At least its a cheap easy fix only 3 O-Rings I bought mine from the dealership not a parts house.

billzfan88

well after doing some cleaning i have noticed the oil isn't leaking from the oil filter adapter.... i cleaned up all around it andd let the jeep run for 45 plus and there no oil leaking from that area.... i recently replaced the valve cover gasket a couple months ago but decided to check for leaks.... i took a shop paper towel and wiped the very back of the valve cover gasket and i pretty good swip of oil was on the towel... everytime i would wipe the very back of the valve cover gasket a good swipe of oil would be on the towel..... Its around the last bolt thats hard to get too.... Would a leak in this area cause oil to leak down onto my starter flange and bell housing????

billzfan88

just went out and rechecked and right where that hard to reach bolt on the valve cover gasket is.... i reached back and felt for some oil and when i pulled my fingers out, there was oil and the ends of both..... its leaking right where the hard tp reach bolt is.... would this cause oil to leak down to my starter flange and what not

Cane

valve cover gaskets and o-rings are the main culprit when it comes to leaks (rear main seal too but you've done it and it's often misdiagnosed because of those 2), so yes it could very well be the problem.

replace the gasket and make sure the filter adapter o-rings are not leaking and you should be good to go

AceWhite

Ive been chasing the same issue for months. Curious to see if you figure it out. I also have replaced valve cover & gasket, oil filter O-rings and rear main seal/ oil pan gasket. When I started everything was a mess! Now it's down to a very small leak that's hard to pinpoint.

rwhealey

Yes it will.

The oil filter adapter, the oil pressure sending unit, the distributor gasket, and the valve cover gasket all leak down to that area.

AceWhite

Good call- that's one I haven't checked myself!

djgrayxj

Note from DJ to OP billzfan88
What Year is your Jeep and what Engine does it have NOT All JEEPS ARE EQUAL?

billzfan88

01 Cherokee sport with 4.0

cruiser54

You need to click below:
http://cruiser54.com/?p=96

AceWhite

Awesome- looks like it's the Holy Grail of jeep info