Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

rear main seal please help! major!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-25-2013, 09:42 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
murfanater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: V6
Default rear main seal please help! major!

I need to replace my rear main seal on my 1989 jeep comanche 4.0 6cly. I got the part but need to know the easiest way to replace it. i have to right tools so just say them as you give directions. I def would love pictures so plz o plz put them up they help me so much! all the steps and picture would help a ton thanks guys you always seem to get my jeep running and dont disapoint thanks alot.
Old 02-25-2013, 10:36 PM
  #2  
Seasoned Member
 
ss427ci's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Search my friend

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rea...lacement-4426/

47 posts in this thread so there should be some good info and a 91 cherokee I imagine would be the same as your 89. Don't know for sure though.
Old 02-25-2013, 10:44 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

I would do the valve cover gasket, oil filter adaptor orings, and distributor gasket before dropping the pan for the rear main, which may not even be the leak.
Old 02-25-2013, 11:05 PM
  #4  
Seasoned Member
 
ss427ci's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

^ x2 or at least clean it up real good and see if you can trace the leak somewhere higher.
I'm about to replace my oil filter adapter o-ring.
Old 02-25-2013, 11:18 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Cherokeekid4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 190-hp, 4.0-liter I-6
Default

Check everywhere but don't get your hopes up on It being something simpler, everyone told me to do all this stuff when it really did turn out to be my seal. Going to replace that along with oil pan gasket next oil change.
Old 02-26-2013, 12:02 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
highmileage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bakersfield CA
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

About the best thing you can do for yourself if you have to do the rear main is to put a jack under the front Xmember and get the axle as far away from the pan as possible.
Old 02-26-2013, 05:47 AM
  #7  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,524 Likes on 1,236 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Cherokeekid4x4
Check everywhere but don't get your hopes up on It being something simpler, everyone told me to do all this stuff when it really did turn out to be my seal. Going to replace that along with oil pan gasket next oil change.
For MANY more than just you, it HAS turned out to be something else.

The OP needs to diagnose HIS vehicle that he can SEE and come to the correct conclusion.


Here's how.




 

I'd be looking up ABOVE first, and VERIFYING the source of the oil leak YOURSELF.

Everybody, who doesn't own or have to pay for or perform your vehicle repairs, loves to poke their noggin UNDER the Jeep and come out bearing the false bad news that your RMS is leaking.

Many mechanics, friends, and good old Uncle Bob seem to enjoy telling you it’s the rear main seal. Has a catastrophic ring to it, doesn’t it?

A simple leak at the back of the valve cover or other source could produce the same symptoms. You don’t need to be a mechanic to figure this out. If you have good eyesight and a dim flashlight, you’re good to go on your own. Don't jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon right off the bat.

Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for two simple reasons.

First off, the engine sits nose-up and any oil will run back to the RMS 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, in that order, have to be eliminated as possibilities first.

Revised 9-15-2012
Old 02-26-2013, 07:23 AM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
murfanater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: V6
Default

do i have to drop the transmission to fix the rear main seal?
Old 02-26-2013, 07:56 AM
  #9  
Member
Thread Starter
 
murfanater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: V6
Default

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearMain.htm
Old 02-26-2013, 08:20 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

Originally Posted by murfanater
do i have to drop the transmission to fix the rear main seal?
You're just dead set on doing the rear main, aint ya? No, you don't need to drop the transmission.
Old 02-26-2013, 08:32 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
Cherokeekid4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 190-hp, 4.0-liter I-6
Default

Let me get the link to the website with a very detailed write up one sec
Old 02-26-2013, 08:33 AM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
Cherokeekid4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 190-hp, 4.0-liter I-6
Default

http://jeepin.com/features/rearmain all you need is right here.
Old 02-28-2013, 07:36 AM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
murfanater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: GA
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: V6
Default

I was able to fix it! no more leak! to get it in there though oil the hell out of it cause it is a tight sqeeze
Old 02-28-2013, 07:47 AM
  #14  
Seasoned Member
 
Muaddib420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by murfanater
I was able to fix it! no more leak! to get it in there though oil the hell out of it cause it is a tight sqeeze
Good job.
Old 02-28-2013, 09:00 AM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
Cherokeekid4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 190-hp, 4.0-liter I-6
Default

Originally Posted by Muaddib420

Good job.
X2 way to go.


Quick Reply: rear main seal please help! major!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:31 PM.