Hi everyone,
I have a 1999 Cherokee 4.0 Country. Currently 174 000 km on the odo.
Recently I noticed oil dripping from the area between the engine and the gearbox, but it is only for a short time. It only happens when I start driving (not fully warmed up yet) and completely disappears after I stop and restart the engine.

When I start the engine with the vehicle stationary, no oil drips out, no matter how long I let the engine run. Only after I start driving a few hundred meters does the leak start. I haven't noticed the leak stopping by itself while the engine is running, but it does stop when I stop and restart the engine.

When it does leak, it drips quite fast, say 3 to 5 drops per second, but when it stops, it stops completely. Also no oil leaks under the vehicle when stationary.

Could it be a seal leaking when cold, but expanding as it heats up?

So to recap, tl;dr: A fast oil leak after startup and movement, stopping completely after restart.

I have tried searching the internet for an explanation, but can't find any.

 

Is it engine oil or transmission oil?

Take off the transmission dust cover. Clean everything sparkly to help find the source.

 

Especially the valve cover and oil filter.

 

Is the back of the engine block oily? The most common engine oil leaks are the valve cover, and oil filter adapter. Both can pool oil until you start moving. Look around the oil filter too. The filter may not be on tight, and the oil pressure sensor could be cracked.

 

I just noticed your location. Is it oil and not water from the air conditioning?

 

It's oil.
P. S. What difference does my location make?

 

I don't think it's as hot down there as you think it is.

 

The back of the sump cover is oily.

 

RMS. I fixed mine by putting a piece of cardboard on the garage floor.

 

So the leak does not really stop when I drive, it is just pooled oil suddenly leaking out when I start moving?

How far can I drive like this? My nearest service center is 250km (about 160 miles). Would I be able to make it?

I just checked and there is fresh oil around the oil filter adapter but no leak directly underneath the oil filter area. The drops fall only from the area between engine and gearbox, as in the picture above.

 

I'm not sure. Engine oil level is on the mark, oil consumption is very low. Gearbox oil lvl is slightly low.

 

Cruiser where are you? Lol I'm going to copy great words of wisdom from him. Poke your noggin under the hood, and investigate. Your valve cover will leak and run oil behind the engine, oil filter adapter, oil pressure regulator, distributor gasket( if applicable) that just the basic list of leaks in these things. if it is your RMS, don't fret., it will keep. Just make sure to maintain your oil. My RMS leaked for probably a good 5 years, not like a waterfall, but something similar to what your describing, I like the suggestion throw a peice of cardboard under it, lol

 

Check the rear main seal gasket. It is a major leaking part.

 

Just drive with a bottle of engine oil. If it is too low, just add some. Sure, you can make the 160 miles.

 

Maybe. Maybe not. All the top side leaks wind up at that spot, so you really need to do a thorough inspection to be sure where it's coming from.


I've got the better solution, Dave. I park on a gravel driveway. No cardboard needed!