Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
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.
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
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.
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
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.
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
What we think is a rear seal problem is almost always a combination
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
What we think is a rear seal problem is almost always a combination
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
What we think is a rear seal problem is almost always a combination
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Seeking additional info abour repairs to a Jeep
What we think is a rear seal problem is almost always a combination
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
of a clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation system and a leaky valve
cover gasket. If it is a rear seal four hundred may be a fair price for:
http://www.neow.org/rms1.html
If you have an automatic where running between the pint safe marks
is so important, then it should be fix, and three hundred sounds like a
fair price for dropping the transfer case.
If you use a major gasoline then you will have been using cleaner
in your injection system, so there's no need for an induction flush is a
high pressure cleaning of the fuel injection system. Only if you feel
the misfire of a clogged injector, which has never happen to me.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
Bob-googlegroups@HamsterRepublic.com wrote:
>
> 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?
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
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?
Depends on how much it leaks. It can leak onto your clutch, giving your some
slip when first used in the morning, until the oil burns off. It can also
leave nasty stains in yours, and others' driveways. However, it's nothing
major and even if you fix it, it will return. I've had my rear main seal
repaired twice, only for it to leak again. This is very common to the inline
six.
The rear main seal is exactly what it sounds like: the rear seal of the
engine on the crank. It's costly to repair because of the 4WD system. They
have to drop your skidplate, disconnect both driveshafts, pull the
transmission + transfer case out of the engine, remove the clutch, drop the
oil pan (possibly unmount the engine from the mounts and jack it up for
clearance, and replace the seal and oil pan gasket and reverse the
procedure. The parts aren't much, but the labor involved is murder.
> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?
Easily fixed on your own if you're even slightly mechanically inclined. I'm
not sure if this is referring to the seal joining both halves of the
transfer case, or the seal around the yoke. Either way, it's not difficult
to replace.
> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?
Many mechanics recommend it. Basically, they hook up a bottle of some high
powered cleaner to your fuel rail, I believe, and clean out all the gunk in
there. They also clean out your throttlebody too. I've had my intake off to
repair the exhaust header, and there gets to be quite a bit of gunk in
there. I scraped it out and used carb cleaner to clean it all, including the
throttlebody, out before I put it all back together. I did noticed slighly
more power when I was done, but nothing to write home about since it has
147,000 miles on it.
You can buy some of that high powered fuel injection cleaner you put in your
tank from STP, Slick 50, etc. and get about half the cleaning that
professional job gives you. Those cans cost between $8 and $10.
http://www.slick50.com/
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
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?
Depends on how much it leaks. It can leak onto your clutch, giving your some
slip when first used in the morning, until the oil burns off. It can also
leave nasty stains in yours, and others' driveways. However, it's nothing
major and even if you fix it, it will return. I've had my rear main seal
repaired twice, only for it to leak again. This is very common to the inline
six.
The rear main seal is exactly what it sounds like: the rear seal of the
engine on the crank. It's costly to repair because of the 4WD system. They
have to drop your skidplate, disconnect both driveshafts, pull the
transmission + transfer case out of the engine, remove the clutch, drop the
oil pan (possibly unmount the engine from the mounts and jack it up for
clearance, and replace the seal and oil pan gasket and reverse the
procedure. The parts aren't much, but the labor involved is murder.
> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?
Easily fixed on your own if you're even slightly mechanically inclined. I'm
not sure if this is referring to the seal joining both halves of the
transfer case, or the seal around the yoke. Either way, it's not difficult
to replace.
> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?
Many mechanics recommend it. Basically, they hook up a bottle of some high
powered cleaner to your fuel rail, I believe, and clean out all the gunk in
there. They also clean out your throttlebody too. I've had my intake off to
repair the exhaust header, and there gets to be quite a bit of gunk in
there. I scraped it out and used carb cleaner to clean it all, including the
throttlebody, out before I put it all back together. I did noticed slighly
more power when I was done, but nothing to write home about since it has
147,000 miles on it.
You can buy some of that high powered fuel injection cleaner you put in your
tank from STP, Slick 50, etc. and get about half the cleaning that
professional job gives you. Those cans cost between $8 and $10.
http://www.slick50.com/
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
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?
Depends on how much it leaks. It can leak onto your clutch, giving your some
slip when first used in the morning, until the oil burns off. It can also
leave nasty stains in yours, and others' driveways. However, it's nothing
major and even if you fix it, it will return. I've had my rear main seal
repaired twice, only for it to leak again. This is very common to the inline
six.
The rear main seal is exactly what it sounds like: the rear seal of the
engine on the crank. It's costly to repair because of the 4WD system. They
have to drop your skidplate, disconnect both driveshafts, pull the
transmission + transfer case out of the engine, remove the clutch, drop the
oil pan (possibly unmount the engine from the mounts and jack it up for
clearance, and replace the seal and oil pan gasket and reverse the
procedure. The parts aren't much, but the labor involved is murder.
> 2) What is the transmissions "Transfer Case Seal"? How important is a
> leak in it? Is it worth over $300 to fix?
Easily fixed on your own if you're even slightly mechanically inclined. I'm
not sure if this is referring to the seal joining both halves of the
transfer case, or the seal around the yoke. Either way, it's not difficult
to replace.
> 3) What is an "Induction Flush" how important is it? Is it worth approx
> $150 to have done?
Many mechanics recommend it. Basically, they hook up a bottle of some high
powered cleaner to your fuel rail, I believe, and clean out all the gunk in
there. They also clean out your throttlebody too. I've had my intake off to
repair the exhaust header, and there gets to be quite a bit of gunk in
there. I scraped it out and used carb cleaner to clean it all, including the
throttlebody, out before I put it all back together. I did noticed slighly
more power when I was done, but nothing to write home about since it has
147,000 miles on it.
You can buy some of that high powered fuel injection cleaner you put in your
tank from STP, Slick 50, etc. and get about half the cleaning that
professional job gives you. Those cans cost between $8 and $10.
http://www.slick50.com/