A couple questions
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: east coast
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L 6cyl
A couple questions
Forgive me if i do something wrong. I am brand spanking new to this forum.
I just recently bought a 1992 xj with 180,000 miles as a project. I am starting by changing the fluids and i looked at my transmission fluid and it is a lighter shade of brown on a white paper towel. I have seen so many pictures depicting what good and bad oils are but i am still concerned with the state that my transmission is in. Is shifts great and it doesn't slip. If i hand't known better I would think my transmission is ship shape. Should i be worried?
My second question is a light that is between the brights switch and the rear defroster switch. It stays on all of the time. What does it mean?
My third and last situation is i have an incredibly small oil leak towards the back part of my oil pan and the front of the transmission. I get home to check it one day and there is one solitary drop of oil (fluid maybe?) on my driveway. Ill meander under the car and wipe away the oil and i don't see it again for about 4-5 days. People tell me this is just a symptom of an old car and some tell me otherwise. Should i be worried?
,Tyler
I just recently bought a 1992 xj with 180,000 miles as a project. I am starting by changing the fluids and i looked at my transmission fluid and it is a lighter shade of brown on a white paper towel. I have seen so many pictures depicting what good and bad oils are but i am still concerned with the state that my transmission is in. Is shifts great and it doesn't slip. If i hand't known better I would think my transmission is ship shape. Should i be worried?
My second question is a light that is between the brights switch and the rear defroster switch. It stays on all of the time. What does it mean?
My third and last situation is i have an incredibly small oil leak towards the back part of my oil pan and the front of the transmission. I get home to check it one day and there is one solitary drop of oil (fluid maybe?) on my driveway. Ill meander under the car and wipe away the oil and i don't see it again for about 4-5 days. People tell me this is just a symptom of an old car and some tell me otherwise. Should i be worried?
,Tyler
#2
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Isanti Minnesota
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Forgive me if i do something wrong. I am brand spanking new to this forum.
I just recently bought a 1992 xj with 180,000 miles as a project. I am starting by changing the fluids and i looked at my transmission fluid and it is a lighter shade of brown on a white paper towel. I have seen so many pictures depicting what good and bad oils are but i am still concerned with the state that my transmission is in. Is shifts great and it doesn't slip. If i hand't known better I would think my transmission is ship shape. Should i be worried?
My second question is a light that is between the brights switch and the rear defroster switch. It stays on all of the time. What does it mean?
My third and last situation is i have an incredibly small oil leak towards the back part of my oil pan and the front of the transmission. I get home to check it one day and there is one solitary drop of oil (fluid maybe?) on my driveway. Ill meander under the car and wipe away the oil and i don't see it again for about 4-5 days. People tell me this is just a symptom of an old car and some tell me otherwise. Should i be worried?
,Tyler
I just recently bought a 1992 xj with 180,000 miles as a project. I am starting by changing the fluids and i looked at my transmission fluid and it is a lighter shade of brown on a white paper towel. I have seen so many pictures depicting what good and bad oils are but i am still concerned with the state that my transmission is in. Is shifts great and it doesn't slip. If i hand't known better I would think my transmission is ship shape. Should i be worried?
My second question is a light that is between the brights switch and the rear defroster switch. It stays on all of the time. What does it mean?
My third and last situation is i have an incredibly small oil leak towards the back part of my oil pan and the front of the transmission. I get home to check it one day and there is one solitary drop of oil (fluid maybe?) on my driveway. Ill meander under the car and wipe away the oil and i don't see it again for about 4-5 days. People tell me this is just a symptom of an old car and some tell me otherwise. Should i be worried?
,Tyler
#4
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Isanti Minnesota
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
If you do a "flush" with that many miles to there is a fair chance something could. As far as dropping the pan and refilling it goes, that should be fine.
#5
CF Veteran
There's a drain plug on the trans pan. Drain the fluid. I measure how much comes out then replace it. Use Dextron/Mercon. Use the vehicle for awhile(100mi will do). Check the fluid again. Repeat this procedure until the fluid looks new. No filter to replace.
#6
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Isanti Minnesota
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Oh, there is a drain plug? Didn't know that. Easy enough then.
#7
Herp Derp Jerp
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Parham, ON
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Welcome to Cherokee Forum!
Like EZEarl said, you need to change that fluid. It's not bad yet, but it's certainly overdue. Dex/Merc (or D/M) is sold everywhere. It is a vibrant red when in good condition. That fluid has been run hot and is dirty - time to go! Beware that someone will try to tell you to use Chrysler ATF because Chrysler bought Jeep - the transmission is actually from Japan and uses GM fluid. (Assuming you have the 4.0L automatic - the 2.5L automatic is another story)
I'm not familiar with the old-style interior. Someone else will probaby chime in!
And yes, strictly speaking, older vehicles develop leaks, much like old people. However, unlike people, you can easily replace parts on a Jeep. The engine in these things is pointed nose-up, so if there's a leak ANYWHERE it will run back to the rear. A lot of people misdiagnose a leaky valve cover (the bolts might just be loose, even!) for a rear main seal. Aside from the valve cover, the next most common culprit is the oil filter adapter. You need to give the engine a bath and then track down where the leak really is.
Like EZEarl said, you need to change that fluid. It's not bad yet, but it's certainly overdue. Dex/Merc (or D/M) is sold everywhere. It is a vibrant red when in good condition. That fluid has been run hot and is dirty - time to go! Beware that someone will try to tell you to use Chrysler ATF because Chrysler bought Jeep - the transmission is actually from Japan and uses GM fluid. (Assuming you have the 4.0L automatic - the 2.5L automatic is another story)
I'm not familiar with the old-style interior. Someone else will probaby chime in!
And yes, strictly speaking, older vehicles develop leaks, much like old people. However, unlike people, you can easily replace parts on a Jeep. The engine in these things is pointed nose-up, so if there's a leak ANYWHERE it will run back to the rear. A lot of people misdiagnose a leaky valve cover (the bolts might just be loose, even!) for a rear main seal. Aside from the valve cover, the next most common culprit is the oil filter adapter. You need to give the engine a bath and then track down where the leak really is.
Trending Topics
#9
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Isanti Minnesota
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
And yes, strictly speaking, older vehicles develop leaks, much like old people. However, unlike people, you can easily replace parts on a Jeep. The engine in these things is pointed nose-up, so if there's a leak ANYWHERE it will run back to the rear. A lot of people misdiagnose a leaky valve cover (the bolts might just be loose, even!) for a rear main seal. Aside from the valve cover, the next most common culprit is the oil filter adapter. You need to give the engine a bath and then track down where the leak really is.
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
18 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Listen to Salad. (Delta, it can, and does blow back, mimicking a leaking RM)
The overwhelming forum consensus for the (nearly bullet-proof), AW-4 is to just let the detergent in the Dexron do the job. Forget changing the "filter", it's just a screen. Getting aggressive flushing and such might dislodge junk and be a problem. Just drain what drains, and refill till your dipstick says it's up. (running hot in park). If it's not nice and pink change it more often till it is, like with oil changes.
The overwhelming forum consensus for the (nearly bullet-proof), AW-4 is to just let the detergent in the Dexron do the job. Forget changing the "filter", it's just a screen. Getting aggressive flushing and such might dislodge junk and be a problem. Just drain what drains, and refill till your dipstick says it's up. (running hot in park). If it's not nice and pink change it more often till it is, like with oil changes.
#13
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Towson, MD USA
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre High Output
congrats on the new to you 92! That was the year Jeep Eagle sponsored the Olympics:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...mpics&_sacat=0
I picked up a nifty key chain a while back from that year.
Anywho - the only switch I can think of that's on the dashboard that's not the defroster is the foglight switch if your truck came with that installed, mine didn't.
Drain and fill the trans and do a mini service - new plugs, wires, cap, rotor and throttle body cleaning and change out the fluids if they are old.
My 92 just passed 189K and now with a new MSD coil and new injectors I cannot believe how well it's running.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...mpics&_sacat=0
I picked up a nifty key chain a while back from that year.
Anywho - the only switch I can think of that's on the dashboard that's not the defroster is the foglight switch if your truck came with that installed, mine didn't.
Drain and fill the trans and do a mini service - new plugs, wires, cap, rotor and throttle body cleaning and change out the fluids if they are old.
My 92 just passed 189K and now with a new MSD coil and new injectors I cannot believe how well it's running.
#14
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,971
Received 1,562 Likes
on
1,266 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
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: east coast
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L 6cyl
For anyone wondering this is the light I'm talking about. But I have an idea of where the leak is and I'm going to change my transmission fluid this week.
Last edited by Cherokoolguy; 06-15-2016 at 09:30 AM.