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rear main seal on a 96 xj classic??

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Old May 31, 2012 | 10:17 PM
  #1  
realmikewilson's Avatar
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From: Nevada
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default rear main seal on a 96 xj classic??

so my rear main is leaking and im not really sure on how to fix this...what all is involved in this fix and would i be able to do it on a weekend with out any issues? and how much are all the parts needed to fix this problem?
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Old May 31, 2012 | 10:43 PM
  #2  
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From: Carmichael, CA
Year: 2001
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3 dollars for a two piece seal and your going to need a long punch preferably brass to remove the hardened seal.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 10:55 PM
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
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Make sure it is your rear main seal. There are a few places ABOVE the rear main that will drop down to the rear main area and mimic a RMS leak. So my suggestion would be to degrease the engine, take it for a short drive and really take a good look at where it's coming from.

Other areas it could be leaking is the valve cover, oil filter adaptor, oil pressure sender and oil pan.

If it is in fact the rear main, it can be done in a weekend. Hardest part is removing the oil pan (since it is a 2 piece seal, removal of the tranny isn't necessary). If you aren't lifted, you'll need to let the axle droop to get to it
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Old May 31, 2012 | 11:10 PM
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6
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Yep, looking to do mine this weekend--- RMS---might as well do the oil pan gasket to ensure no more leakage---I'm going to do the valve cover gasket as-well for a leak free jeep---total cost in parts around 75.00$--potential mechanics garage cost--500 and up--DIY-free--unless you screw something up---Get help if you can, I've employed my mechanicly inclined father to help me out. Good luck

Last edited by LovmyXJ; May 31, 2012 at 11:12 PM.
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Old May 31, 2012 | 11:12 PM
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6
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oH YEAH--get yourself a HAYNES repair manual----Find it online ---it will be almost essential to guide you through the process...
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Old May 31, 2012 | 11:23 PM
  #6  
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
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Sucks doing it on the ground! Clean your engine off first. Sand falling in your pan will **** you off when you go to put it back on!
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 12:27 AM
  #7  
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
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That is a good point. If you're dead set on tackling the rear main seal, then pick up a nice rubber Felpro one piece oil pan gasket while you're at it. Because you need to drop the oil pan anyway to get to the RMS. Some black RTV on the corners of the oil pan will also help allow it to not leak.
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 01:24 AM
  #8  
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From: Long Beach, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by 1996sportXJ
Make sure it is your rear main seal. There are a few places ABOVE the rear main that will drop down to the rear main area and mimic a RMS leak. So my suggestion would be to degrease the engine, take it for a short drive and really take a good look at where it's coming from.

Other areas it could be leaking is the valve cover, oil filter adaptor, oil pressure sender and oil pan.

If it is in fact the rear main, it can be done in a weekend. Hardest part is removing the oil pan (since it is a 2 piece seal, removal of the tranny isn't necessary). If you aren't lifted, you'll need to let the axle droop to get to it
I have to second this. Mine had what appeared to be a RMS leak, but when my starter died, I noticed how caked with gunk the oil filter adapter, starter, side of the engine and oil pan were. I replaced my starter and while I was there, I replaced the o-ring on the oil filter adapter. Took it to a quarter car wash and blasted off all the gunk on the side of the engine and below. It's been over a month since I replaced that o-ring and it's still sparkly underneath and not a trace of oil. I'm still amazed...now I'm trying to figure out how to keep it from leaking!
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Old Jun 1, 2012 | 01:35 AM
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
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Originally Posted by PetrolHead

I have to second this. Mine had what appeared to be a RMS leak, but when my starter died, I noticed how caked with gunk the oil filter adapter, starter, side of the engine and oil pan were. I replaced my starter and while I was there, I replaced the o-ring on the oil filter adapter. Took it to a quarter car wash and blasted off all the gunk on the side of the engine and below. It's been over a month since I replaced that o-ring and it's still sparkly underneath and not a trace of oil. I'm still amazed...now I'm trying to figure out how to keep it from leaking!
You just drive it till it get old and starts leaking again! Then replace it again. There's no easy way around it
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