weird oil leak.. leaks and then it doesnt
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Irvine Ca
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
weird oil leak.. leaks and then it doesnt
i think its coming from the RMS.. only about nickel size drop on the ground after a commute to work
the weird thing is it doesnt do it all the time.. it will leak for a few weeks and then it wont leak for a month..
whats going on? oil level is good
the weird thing is it doesnt do it all the time.. it will leak for a few weeks and then it wont leak for a month..
whats going on? oil level is good
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Riviera, Texas
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Before you assume it's the RMS. Check the valve cover, oil filter adapter and the distributor seal. All of those will leak and run to the rear of the engine looking like the RMS. Clean everything really good and keep checking it to make sure where the oil is coming from. If it was the RMS you will have a constant leak.
Last edited by RTorrez1; 05-16-2014 at 09:01 PM.
#3
::CF Moderator::
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
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, people on Jeep forums who can’t see your Jeep from where they’re at, 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. "$hit flows downhill".
Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket, in that order, have to be eliminated as possibilities first.
Revised 02-26-2013
Everybody, who doesn't own or have to pay for or perform your vehicle repairs, loves to poke their noggin UNDER the Jeep and come out bearing the false bad news that your RMS is leaking.
Many mechanics, friends, people on Jeep forums who can’t see your Jeep from where they’re at, and good old Uncle Bob seem to enjoy telling you it’s the rear main seal. Has a catastrophic ring to it, doesn’t it?
A simple leak at the back of the valve cover or other source could produce the same symptoms. You don’t need to be a mechanic to figure this out. If you have good eyesight and a dim flashlight, you’re good to go on your own. Don't jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon right off the bat.
Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for two simple reasons.
First off, the engine sits nose-up and any oil will run back to the RMS area. Secondly, the RMS area is also the lowest point on the engine. Simple physics and the old plumber's adage apply here. "$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 02-26-2013
#4
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Lol mine had a very similar 'phantom' leak, however mine is at the front! I have a new valve cover gasket and no other leaks.... I thought maybe mine was the oil pan gasket but I'm not sure....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JayneCobb
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
26
08-11-2020 03:22 PM
MidwestNick
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
02-28-2016 02:05 AM
Blackxj51
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
22
09-13-2015 06:06 PM
15XJ
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
7
09-10-2015 11:17 PM
Soilman
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
09-06-2015 07:51 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)