oil leak
09-05-2015 | 08:53 PM
#16
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lake Arrowhead, So Cali
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 6 cycl 4 wd
Here ya go.
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. "$hit flows downhill".
Valve cover gasket, oil pressure sending unit, oil filter adapter seals and distributor gasket, in that order, have to be eliminated as possibilities first.
Revised 02-26-2013
I'd be looking up ABOVE first, and VERIFYING the source of the oil leak YOURSELF.
Everybody, who doesn't own or have to pay for or perform your vehicle repairs, loves to poke their noggin UNDER the Jeep and come out bearing the false bad news that your RMS is leaking.
Many mechanics, friends, people on Jeep forums who can’t see your Jeep from where they’re at, and good old Uncle Bob seem to enjoy telling you it’s the rear main seal. Has a catastrophic ring to it, doesn’t it?
A simple leak at the back of the valve cover or other source could produce the same symptoms. You don’t need to be a mechanic to figure this out. If you have good eyesight and a dim flashlight, you’re good to go on your own. Don't jump on the RMS/oil pan gasket bandwagon right off the bat.
Almost any oil leak on your 4.0 is gonna drip from the RMS area for two simple reasons.
First off, the engine sits nose-up and any oil will run back to the RMS area. Secondly, the RMS area is also the lowest point on the engine. Simple physics and the old plumber's adage apply here. "$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
Quick question on an oil leak at the oil filter housing. First off I have 96 I found and old feed on the repair but it was for 91 and the pictures present look quite a bit different part. From what I can tell it does not leak when the engine is shut off, however when I was warming the engine to do an oil change I saw it seeping, I wiped it off and watched how much flowed out, its an issue I sure this is merely one source of my oil loss over time. So reading the old feed I see its kind of an issue cracking the nut with a T60 torq bit. Im a strong girlie but Im wondering if this is gonna be an issue to do with just standard tools and strenght. Hopefully you have some insight, would love to hear back.
Thanks Cin
09-05-2015 | 09:12 PM
#17
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Plan on using a cheater bar at least 3 feet long. I've gotten one out with a wrench and a big hammer, but it wasn't easy. Hell, it's a huge pain even with the right tools.
I've been told most Jeeps have T60 Torx bolts, but all four I've done have needed a 14mm allen key.
I've been told most Jeeps have T60 Torx bolts, but all four I've done have needed a 14mm allen key.
09-06-2015 | 03:12 AM
#19
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Lake Arrowhead, So Cali
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 6 cycl 4 wd
Having an issue finding a diagram on the oil filter housing I have no idea how many bolts are there to remove. I see one but cant get in the right spot to see if there is more then just the one on the top.
09-06-2015 | 10:12 AM
#20
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
oil leak
Your oil filter screws onto the 90deg Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). The OFA is held to the engine block with the large bolt that we're discussing, and there's a pin on the backside of the OFA that goes into a small hole in the engine block to keep it aligned.
It's only one bolt to remove the OFA, and there are three O-rings you'll need to replace. The pack costs a couple dollars at the dealership
It's only one bolt to remove the OFA, and there are three O-rings you'll need to replace. The pack costs a couple dollars at the dealership
09-06-2015 | 10:34 AM
#21
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
09-06-2015 | 11:32 AM
#22
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Guess what I found?
Just wanted to share a discovery I made the other day. Was checking out the PVC Valve and accessory section at Autozone and found that they have the right sized grommets to fit our CCV systems. I think they are an application for the PCV system on another make but they are the exact same size!
09-08-2015 | 11:28 AM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 892
Likes: 4
From: Lennox/Sioux Falls South Dakota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 liter inline 6
from my experience.....XJs have oil leaks no matter what and ghost wiring....thats that... oil always finds a way out
09-08-2015 | 04:48 PM
#24
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
09-09-2015 | 09:31 AM
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 892
Likes: 4
From: Lennox/Sioux Falls South Dakota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 liter inline 6
09-09-2015 | 09:36 AM
#26
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
09-09-2015 | 12:20 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 892
Likes: 4
From: Lennox/Sioux Falls South Dakota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 liter inline 6
09-09-2015 | 12:27 PM
#28
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
09-09-2015 | 05:55 PM
#29
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Distributor gasket. Replaced it with an o-ring when I indexed the distributor.........