Rear Main Oil Seal
 

I have a '96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for instructions
on replacing this before it's to late. Thanks in advance..

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>


Before you go getting too dirty, the 4.0 is notorious for valve cover
leaks that run down the back center of the engine so it looks like the
rear main is leaking.

To test this, run the engine for a bit, then take a clean rag and rub it
around the back side of the engine head just below the valve cover. If
you find oil, then you should fix the cover leak first to see if that is
all it is.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>


Before you go getting too dirty, the 4.0 is notorious for valve cover
leaks that run down the back center of the engine so it looks like the
rear main is leaking.

To test this, run the engine for a bit, then take a clean rag and rub it
around the back side of the engine head just below the valve cover. If
you find oil, then you should fix the cover leak first to see if that is
all it is.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>


Before you go getting too dirty, the 4.0 is notorious for valve cover
leaks that run down the back center of the engine so it looks like the
rear main is leaking.

To test this, run the engine for a bit, then take a clean rag and rub it
around the back side of the engine head just below the valve cover. If
you find oil, then you should fix the cover leak first to see if that is
all it is.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Jeep 6 cyl engines are nortorious for leaking out the rear of the valve
cover, mimics a rear main seal leak very nicely. Take it to the self
service car wash, wash off the back of the engine, the firewall, and as
far down onto the bell housing as you can. Wipe it dry, look for any
signs of fresh oil. Stick a paper towel between the firewall and engine,
below the level of the valve cover and drive it home. If the valve cover
is leaking, it will show up within 5 or 10 miles.

Changing the rear seal and getting it to stop leaking is a major PITA.
To do it right requires pulling the engine and the crankshaft. There are
some tricks to doing it in the vehicle, none of those are sure fixes.
With 170k on the engine, I'd suggest just living with the leak until it
gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
failure, it just gets worse with more miles.

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Jeep 6 cyl engines are nortorious for leaking out the rear of the valve
cover, mimics a rear main seal leak very nicely. Take it to the self
service car wash, wash off the back of the engine, the firewall, and as
far down onto the bell housing as you can. Wipe it dry, look for any
signs of fresh oil. Stick a paper towel between the firewall and engine,
below the level of the valve cover and drive it home. If the valve cover
is leaking, it will show up within 5 or 10 miles.

Changing the rear seal and getting it to stop leaking is a major PITA.
To do it right requires pulling the engine and the crankshaft. There are
some tricks to doing it in the vehicle, none of those are sure fixes.
With 170k on the engine, I'd suggest just living with the leak until it
gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
failure, it just gets worse with more miles.

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

Jeep 6 cyl engines are nortorious for leaking out the rear of the valve
cover, mimics a rear main seal leak very nicely. Take it to the self
service car wash, wash off the back of the engine, the firewall, and as
far down onto the bell housing as you can. Wipe it dry, look for any
signs of fresh oil. Stick a paper towel between the firewall and engine,
below the level of the valve cover and drive it home. If the valve cover
is leaking, it will show up within 5 or 10 miles.

Changing the rear seal and getting it to stop leaking is a major PITA.
To do it right requires pulling the engine and the crankshaft. There are
some tricks to doing it in the vehicle, none of those are sure fixes.
With 170k on the engine, I'd suggest just living with the leak until it
gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
failure, it just gets worse with more miles.

Edward R. Wojciechowski JR wrote:
> I have a ’96 GC 4.0 with 170k and it looks like the seal is starting to
> leak. I was wondering if there was a good web site to go to for
> instructions on replacing this before it’s to late. Thanks in advance……
>

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

I traded mine in for a new one
after my friends wouldn't let me park
in their driveway anymore. :-)


RoyJ wrote:

> gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
> like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
> failure, it just gets worse with more miles.
>

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

I traded mine in for a new one
after my friends wouldn't let me park
in their driveway anymore. :-)


RoyJ wrote:

> gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
> like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
> failure, it just gets worse with more miles.
>

Re: Rear Main Oil Seal
 

I traded mine in for a new one
after my friends wouldn't let me park
in their driveway anymore. :-)


RoyJ wrote:

> gets past your pain threshold. Anything over 500 miles on a quart seems
> like a reasonable point to just ignore it. This is not a catastrphic
> failure, it just gets worse with more miles.
>