smoke and no oil
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Nampa ID
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.8L
So i know i had a bad oil leak but come to find out i lost almost all of it in a single day. i checked it this morning and it was bone dry on the stick. i dont think the pan is leaking that bad i think it may be somewhere else. Also i noticed that when i turned it off white smoke started to come from the left side only near the manifold. it was also the left side of the oil pan that i thought the leak was coming from. the smoke i only seen today tho. please no bad news.lol..
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Wantage, NJ
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Blue Smoke: Bad news because it means the engine is burning oil. The underlying cause may be worn or broken piston rings, worn or damaged cylinders, worn valve guide or valve guide seals.
White Smoke: More bad news because it means the engine is burning coolant or transmission fluid. If the smoke is coolant, the cause if probably a leaky head gasket or a crack in the cylinder head. If the smoke is trans fluid, the engine is sucking transmission fluid through a vacuum hose to the transmission.
White Smoke: More bad news because it means the engine is burning coolant or transmission fluid. If the smoke is coolant, the cause if probably a leaky head gasket or a crack in the cylinder head. If the smoke is trans fluid, the engine is sucking transmission fluid through a vacuum hose to the transmission.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Not sure what it is BUT if it does turn out to be the head gasket don't let it scare you. I changed mine on the parking lot outside of where I work with basic hand tools in about a days time.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Effingham, N.H.
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6

Try to take a pick where the oil is leaking from. My pan actually rotted out and oil seeped right through the pan. Mine leaked on the drivers side, right near the exhaust. We need to know where exactly the oil is leaking. Is it where the pan meets the block, mid way down the pan, back of the pan near the trans. Help us help you!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Nampa ID
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.8L
Alright so im pretty sure its white and my coolant is not low as well as i have not overheated. so lets assume its the tranny fluid what is the fix for this?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Wantage, NJ
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
If the transmission fluid level is low, add the required type of transmission fluid to bring it back up to the full mark, and inspect the vacuum hose from the transmission for fluid inside. If it is passing fluid, replace the vacuum modulator valve on the transmission.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
He has a manual transmission. there should be no vacuum lines running to it.
You should have a fill and a drain plug on the transmission. fluid should be within 3/8 inch below fill plug.
You should have a fill and a drain plug on the transmission. fluid should be within 3/8 inch below fill plug.
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
are you sure that oil is not leaking out from under the valve cover, then dropping down onto the hot exhaust pipe? That would cause your smoke and also explain where the oil goes to
☠ CF Sheriff ☠

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
start it up and look - it will not leak when there isn't oil pressure. You would need to replace the valve cover gasket (difficulty 3/10)


