So, I just changed my valve cover gasket, replaced the accelerator cable, and the heater control valve-(for the 4th time in 3 years!), and now I'm a little concerned about my tranny-I love my XJ! Took her to Firestone (I know-screwed), and let them do the drain and fill for the tranny fluid, and things have been peculiar ever since. First they overfilled her. Had to go up there 2x's to have them drain it (some of you swung by that thread-thanks). They said the tranny coolant lines were leaking, and the rear main seal-($800!!!), which has been going on for years on, never affecting the tranny fluid level.

They wanted to use a universal fluid but I insisted they order dec/mer, I wonder if they really did, anyways here's the deal:

1. She's always shifted hard into the reverse gear, but now she's almost clunking (tranny mount/u-joint maybe?).
2. I can feel the gears changing now, whereas before it was much smoother (automatic)
3. She is leaking, but not affecting fluid level on dipstick. 4. I smell burnt tranny fluid after driving

Please advise... Thanks.

 

First thing I would check if it's shifting harshly is the TV cable. It has a direct effect on hydraulic pressure and shift quality.
Instructions here:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/free-quick-fix-41821/

I'd also do a few drain and refills using Dex/Merc to get the unknown Firestone fluid gone or heavily diluted.

The burning smell- best way I know to find it is to clean the engine/transmission then watch for the leaks. Doesn't take much trans fluid hitting the exhaust to smell. If you know you have leaks, this pretty much goes with the territory.

Clunking into reverse could be a driveshaft u-joint, or perhaps a trans/crossmember mount.

 

Next time just eliminate it and plug the vacuum tube. Lots of folks have eliminated the HCV and it's problems......the Factory eliminated it on '97 up XJs.

 

Oh really, do you have a write up on this, or how would I go about plugging it, and what about the hoses? Thanks.

 

Ok, I will try this. I was actually messy with the tv cable when I changed the valve cover gasket but I winded up leaving it since it wasn't in the way.

I did the undercarriage wash, and I see the tranny coolant line leaking, and the transfer case. Rear seal too. Nothing is major but I want to fix this. Does the whole tranny have to come out for all of this? Can I at least do the tranny coolant lines? Thanks.

 

If you don't want to do the RMS by yourself (not all that hard) you can find a better deal than that. I had a Jeep dealership (the one the XJ was bought at back in 89 actually) do it for $350 (I supplied parts, which included a new oil pan since my drain bolt was pretty jacked up, a felpro pan gasket, and a rms gasket, totaling like $80-90 in parts, but just the gaskets were like $30).

Even $350 is a lot for me to spend on labor, but since I don't have a garage, and it's winter time here, $350 was a dealsky to me.

As for your tranny lines...I have an easy solution but I'll keep my mouth shut about that.

 

"I did the undercarriage wash, and I see the tranny coolant line leaking, and the transfer case. Rear seal too. Nothing is major but I want to fix this. Does the whole tranny have to come out for all of this? Can I at least do the tranny coolant lines"

Where are the coolant lines leaking? From the hoses, or from the quick disconnect adapters on the transmission and/or at the radiator couplings. The adapter o-rings do go bad. The QD adapters can be bought at any auto parts store - a Dorman product. The adapters and coolant lines can be replaced without removing the transmission.

Take a real close look at the bottom of the bell housing inspection cover to see if transmission fluid is dripping out. If so, the transmission seal may be shot.

Where is it leaking at the transfer case?

 

The coolant lines are leaking from the QD adapters, and I'm pretty sure it's the o-rings. My oil pan is leaking too. Thè transfer case is hard to see, but I'm pretty sure it needs a new gasket, at least that's what it looks like. Hmmm, gotta check the bell housing inspection cover is definitely leaking, but with all of this why isn't the tranny fluid level affected?