which one am i most likely to have? a rear main leak or a drain plug. it drips drop by drop. like it never drips crazy fast. but it also looks like oil is running down the side of the oil pan. but im not sure. im replacing the plug non the less tomorrow

 

how many miles are on it?

if it is going down the side of the pan i would say it is the rear main seal.

 

about 130k....and it goes to the tip of the oil pan then drips off. but its a slowish leak. like when i park or stay still it just leaves a 5 by 5 puddle

 

if anyone. any idea how much or how hard it is the change the seal. and when drained 6 quarts of royal purple right?

 

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearMain.htm

http://www.jeepin.com/features/rearmain/

two guides on doing it.

 

thanks man. great sites. if garaged. how much would that run?

 

how much would what run? you mean if you took it to a shop to do? well shops usually charge a lot to do this simple job mainly because it takes a while to do and its messy. but you can do it yourself. it costs 500+ to do in a shop.

 

i just dont have really anyway to get under the jeep. but is it really that easy?

 

its not easy as 1 2 3, but you can do it. theres a few threads about it on here. just use the search function and search "rear main seal"

but you will need to be able to get under it.

 

well if plug doesnt work then ive got a small mess on my hand. and will normal ramps be decent for height to get under and take it off.

 

the biggest problem is getting the oil pan off from what i read (i never did did this repair, but its something ill need to do in the future so ive read up on it)

Also check to make sure your oil filter housing / valve cover gasket isn't leaking near the back of it.

but in one of the guides it says

http://www.jeepin.com/features/rearmain/ i took that paragraph from that guide.

so you will probably need a jack and jack stands.

 

Ramps should work. You will need to move a few things to drop the pan, so make sure that you have a basic set of tools. Don't sweat it as it looks a lot harder then it actually is!

 

I also may have a rear main seal leak. My mechanic quoted me 230-250$ for parts and labor (privately owned shop, not a dealership).

 

You have never done this job..

Ramps wont work... you have to support the vehicle with jackstands under the frame.

On a stock suspension you typically need to disconnect shocks, trackbar, steering, calipers, remove starter to get enough room to manuver the oilpan out.

 

yikes... im really hoping the drain plug works now. cause i can do the starter and calps.. but steering i dont know much about.