Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
or not I am getting a decent price.

I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
could offer your opinions on these:

1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
worth over $400 to fix?

2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?

3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
$150 to have done?

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

Bob-googlegroups did pass the time by typing:
> I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
> Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
> don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
> problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
> or not I am getting a decent price.
>
> I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
> problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
> but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
> could offer your opinions on these:
>
> 1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
> worth over $400 to fix?

The rear-main-seal is on the engine output shaft. It's two C shaped bits
of rubber, one that fits into the engine block and the other that lays on
the back of the oil pan. Understand that a lot of "rear main seal" leaks
are actually the rear of the valve cover, especially on the 4.0 I6. Always
check there first as rear main seals last quite a long time.

End result is your jeep will drip oil on the garage. Keep an eye on the
oil level and it's not that big of a deal.

> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?

That's the output shaft seal and probably bushing. Unless it's a gusher
all it does is drip a bit of tranny fluid on the driveway. Check fluids
regularly.

> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?

That's a can-o-cleaner they put into the fuel rail and run through your
engine, including running stuff down the throttle body. It cleans out
carbon deposits and fuel injectors. Not a bad thing and not unreasonable
for the price, although if your engine is in fairly good shape there are
good in-tank cleaners available. Techron for one.

The prices you were quoted aren't unreasonable for the mechanics time.
And if you trust the mechanics work that's better than saving a buck
and getting a crap job done.

I'd still have a look at that rear main seal vs/ valve cover leak first.
All that take is reaching behind the motor and wiping the block off
just below the valve cover. Then after you drive it and let it cool,
go back there and wipe again. If you come up with oil, that's the
source. It leaks from the back and runs down. Does a good impersonation
of a rear main seal leak.


The parts themselves aren't expensive, it's the time. That's why lots
of us do our own wrenching. The money saved allows us to buy more toys.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

Bob-googlegroups did pass the time by typing:
> I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
> Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
> don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
> problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
> or not I am getting a decent price.
>
> I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
> problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
> but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
> could offer your opinions on these:
>
> 1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
> worth over $400 to fix?

The rear-main-seal is on the engine output shaft. It's two C shaped bits
of rubber, one that fits into the engine block and the other that lays on
the back of the oil pan. Understand that a lot of "rear main seal" leaks
are actually the rear of the valve cover, especially on the 4.0 I6. Always
check there first as rear main seals last quite a long time.

End result is your jeep will drip oil on the garage. Keep an eye on the
oil level and it's not that big of a deal.

> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?

That's the output shaft seal and probably bushing. Unless it's a gusher
all it does is drip a bit of tranny fluid on the driveway. Check fluids
regularly.

> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?

That's a can-o-cleaner they put into the fuel rail and run through your
engine, including running stuff down the throttle body. It cleans out
carbon deposits and fuel injectors. Not a bad thing and not unreasonable
for the price, although if your engine is in fairly good shape there are
good in-tank cleaners available. Techron for one.

The prices you were quoted aren't unreasonable for the mechanics time.
And if you trust the mechanics work that's better than saving a buck
and getting a crap job done.

I'd still have a look at that rear main seal vs/ valve cover leak first.
All that take is reaching behind the motor and wiping the block off
just below the valve cover. Then after you drive it and let it cool,
go back there and wipe again. If you come up with oil, that's the
source. It leaks from the back and runs down. Does a good impersonation
of a rear main seal leak.


The parts themselves aren't expensive, it's the time. That's why lots
of us do our own wrenching. The money saved allows us to buy more toys.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

Bob-googlegroups did pass the time by typing:
> I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
> Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
> don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
> problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
> or not I am getting a decent price.
>
> I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
> problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
> but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
> could offer your opinions on these:
>
> 1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
> worth over $400 to fix?

The rear-main-seal is on the engine output shaft. It's two C shaped bits
of rubber, one that fits into the engine block and the other that lays on
the back of the oil pan. Understand that a lot of "rear main seal" leaks
are actually the rear of the valve cover, especially on the 4.0 I6. Always
check there first as rear main seals last quite a long time.

End result is your jeep will drip oil on the garage. Keep an eye on the
oil level and it's not that big of a deal.

> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?

That's the output shaft seal and probably bushing. Unless it's a gusher
all it does is drip a bit of tranny fluid on the driveway. Check fluids
regularly.

> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?

That's a can-o-cleaner they put into the fuel rail and run through your
engine, including running stuff down the throttle body. It cleans out
carbon deposits and fuel injectors. Not a bad thing and not unreasonable
for the price, although if your engine is in fairly good shape there are
good in-tank cleaners available. Techron for one.

The prices you were quoted aren't unreasonable for the mechanics time.
And if you trust the mechanics work that's better than saving a buck
and getting a crap job done.

I'd still have a look at that rear main seal vs/ valve cover leak first.
All that take is reaching behind the motor and wiping the block off
just below the valve cover. Then after you drive it and let it cool,
go back there and wipe again. If you come up with oil, that's the
source. It leaks from the back and runs down. Does a good impersonation
of a rear main seal leak.


The parts themselves aren't expensive, it's the time. That's why lots
of us do our own wrenching. The money saved allows us to buy more toys.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

Bob-googlegroups did pass the time by typing:
> I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
> Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
> don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
> problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
> or not I am getting a decent price.
>
> I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
> problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
> but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
> could offer your opinions on these:
>
> 1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
> worth over $400 to fix?

The rear-main-seal is on the engine output shaft. It's two C shaped bits
of rubber, one that fits into the engine block and the other that lays on
the back of the oil pan. Understand that a lot of "rear main seal" leaks
are actually the rear of the valve cover, especially on the 4.0 I6. Always
check there first as rear main seals last quite a long time.

End result is your jeep will drip oil on the garage. Keep an eye on the
oil level and it's not that big of a deal.

> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?

That's the output shaft seal and probably bushing. Unless it's a gusher
all it does is drip a bit of tranny fluid on the driveway. Check fluids
regularly.

> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?

That's a can-o-cleaner they put into the fuel rail and run through your
engine, including running stuff down the throttle body. It cleans out
carbon deposits and fuel injectors. Not a bad thing and not unreasonable
for the price, although if your engine is in fairly good shape there are
good in-tank cleaners available. Techron for one.

The prices you were quoted aren't unreasonable for the mechanics time.
And if you trust the mechanics work that's better than saving a buck
and getting a crap job done.

I'd still have a look at that rear main seal vs/ valve cover leak first.
All that take is reaching behind the motor and wiping the block off
just below the valve cover. Then after you drive it and let it cool,
go back there and wipe again. If you come up with oil, that's the
source. It leaks from the back and runs down. Does a good impersonation
of a rear main seal leak.


The parts themselves aren't expensive, it's the time. That's why lots
of us do our own wrenching. The money saved allows us to buy more toys.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://members.cox.net/wilsond
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

An induction flush is a high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection
system.
--
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

An induction flush is a high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection
system.
--
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

An induction flush is a high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection
system.
--
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

An induction flush is a high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection
system.
--
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
 

<Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com> wrote in message
news:1120771787.093772.197880@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> I have been quoted some prices on some potential repairs to my 95 Jeep
> Wrangler, but being a non-technical owner (I just drive the thing, I
> don't know how it works) I have a hard time understanding these
> problems, guaging how important they really are, and guessing whether
> or not I am getting a decent price.
>
> I do trust this particular mechanic, and they are not presenting these
> problems to me as high-importance must-fix-for-safe-operation problems,
> but I would still appreciate it if some of you knowledgable jeep-people
> could offer your opinions on these:
>
> 1) What is a "Rear Main Seal". How important is a leak in one? Is it
> worth over $400 to fix?
>

If, and that's a big I-F, the rear main is really leaking, then it would
take about $400 to fix. The part - the rear main seal - is about $30, and
the oil pan gasket set is another $30 or so. That's $60 for gaskets and $340
for labor. That is a bit on the high side, but not hugely on the high side.
I don't think your rear main is the problem, the Valve Cover Gasket is the
more likely culprit.




> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?
>

This is a tough one. The tcase does have seals on the front and the back,
and if the seals are leaking then you need to have them replaced. It is a
job that most of us will tackle at home, but you said that you don't do any
service more complicated than filling the gas tank, so you will be subjected
to the going rate at the service center. If the repairs you listed up here,
this is the one that has the best chance of actually being needed. The Rear
Main is probably a valve cover gasket, and the injector cleaner is stuff
that you can pour into the gas tank yourself. I suggest you pass on the
injector service, have the shop take a close look at the valve cover --
particularly the portion near the firewall -- and get a second opinion on
the tcase.



> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?
>

This is a giant bottle of snake oil. You can buy a few small bottles of
snake oil at the auto parts store and pour one in with every fill up for the
next several weeks.

Snake Oil is a bit of a misnomer, but you can buy Fuel Injector Cleaner for
about 5 bucks per bottle, and throw one in with a fill up, and follow that
with the next fill up or two, then add one bottle with each fill up when you
do an oil change and this should keep the injectors clean and trouble free.
There is nothing with this service to warrant a service ticket for $150.