Oil Leak.... Help!

[Pinkyman]

So i was driving my Xj home from work last night (about an hour in traffic), and as i got on the back roads, i was cruising along at 55, and let off the gas for a turn, and a big cloud of white smoke came off the back of my Jeep. I pulled over, and babied it the rest of the way home, it still did it occasionally, but not nearly as bad.

This has only happened once before, on my way home from Xj-Jakes place (about 1.5 hours one way), and it happened as soon as i got off the highway and got to stop and go traffic.

I just replaced my radiator and hoses, and my Jeep didnt get over 200 the whole day yesterday, and does not show any signs of coolant loss. I also had my A/C on, as it was about 80*F.

My oil seems to be in ok shape, although i admittedly havent changed it since i got it, i just added like 4 quarts because it was low when i got it, and my transmission fluid looks/smells healthy. Im convinced that this is an oil leak, since if it were transmission fluid, i would have smelled it for sure.

One more fact. I noticed that my electric cooling fan has failed again. I will need to order a replacement. I cant imagine that would have anything to do with the oil leak, but i thought i would add that since it only happens when its warm.


http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190829_zpsd8ut9q47.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190829_zpsd8ut9q47.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190429_zpsi4piv09h.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190429_zpsi4piv09h.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190310_zpsfdrzyh0b.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190310_zpsfdrzyh0b.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190144_zpsttrq9s8t.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190144_zpsttrq9s8t.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190102_zpsbczuf4ax.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160525_190102_zpsbczuf4ax.jpg.html)




My transmission fluid: (checked cold, with it not running... Ill have to check the level again).

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160525_202705_zpsao5ukscd.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160525_202705_zpsao5ukscd.jpg.html)




My oil:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160525_202611_zpsisfakqlt.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160525_202611_zpsisfakqlt.jpg.html)

[abebehrmann]

Not sure about the smoke or the oil leak, but I'd probably drain and refill that transmission fluid when you get the chance. Looks a bit burnt, could just be the pic though.

My guess is the rear main seal is leaking and dripping onto the hot exhaust causing the smoke. Maybe clean it up real good with a degreaser and then let it idle in your driveway (with the parking brake on) while you look around for the source.

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah, it looks like it needs a little help

[Pinkyman]

I just need to figure out what is leaking, and why it only does it when its hot. My coolant temp was fine, so im thinking maybe my oil thins out and starts leaking?

You can see where its dripping on the exhaust, and im pretty positive thats where my smoke is coming from.

[NW99XJ]

Your transmission fluid is definitely toast. It should be a nice shade of red/pink....that looks old, somewhat burnt, and brown. Definitely doesn't have the properties that it should. You're oil looks fine, but judging by where the leak LOOKS like it's coming from, i'd say your rear main seal is shot. Another typical source of oil leaks on the XJ's is the oil filter adapter. Either way, you're in for a weekend of wrenching. It can all be done with basic hand tools in your driveway. Just takes time, and patience, and a good amount of research (if your going to do the RMS yourself)
Leaks are never fun, but it doesnt have to be the end of the vehicle.

[Pinkyman]

Good thing im staying in town this weekend lol. I may be doing a transmission service, and just replace my rear main, and oil pan gasket, and oil filter adapter o-rings and be done with it. I suppose i should also double check my valve cover bolts from when i replaced it a few weeks ago.

From what ive found, the rear main is notorious for leaking when it gets hot.

[bluedragon436]

I'd say it does look to be the RMS... probably only shows up as you come off the highway, as the whole time you were cruising down the highway the oil was being blown back, and as well was at a higher pressure, then you slow down and it is allowed to drip down onto the exhaust which is pretty hot from the highway cruise... and it smokes up... my 98 did the same thing.... If nothing else then you'll know you RMS, and oil pan gaskets are good... and get a good oil change in all @ the same time!!

[Pinkyman]

I'd say it does look to be the RMS... probably only shows up as you come off the highway, as the whole time you were cruising down the highway the oil was being blown back, and as well was at a higher pressure, then you slow down and it is allowed to drip down onto the exhaust which is pretty hot from the highway cruise... and it smokes up... my 98 did the same thing.... If nothing else then you'll know you RMS, and oil pan gaskets are good... and get a good oil change in all @ the same time!!

I didnt even think of that, yet it makes perfect sense! At least i dont have to drop the trans to do the rear main seal....

[Carves]

X 2 with bluedragon436 on how your smoke is caused.

I made up a drip tray to get the oil past the exhaust on mine ... until I got round to replacing the RMS and adapter o-rings.

RMS is a dog of a job ... but slow and steady will get you thru it ... lots of writeups out there to read ... and a post here on the forum ought to get one of us fairly quickly - to help you with an issue/aspect of the task.

... and btw ... it seems the adapter mounting screw/torx ... gets torqued to, 3squillion ft lb by the factory .. :rolleyes: .. :D

[Pinkyman]

X 2 with bluedragon436 on how your smoke is caused.

I made up a drip tray to get the oil past the exhaust on mine ... until I got round to replacing the RMS and adapter o-rings.

RMS is a dog of a job ... but slow and steady will get you thru it ... lots of writeups out there to read ... and a post here on the forum ought to get one of us fairly quickly - to help you with an issue/aspect of the task.

... and btw ... it seems the adapter mounting screw/torx ... gets torqued to, 3squillion ft lb by the factory .. :rolleyes: .. :D


I may have to clean it and take a look. But i dont have a problem with replacing the filter adapter o-rings and the rear main, especially since its not my DD, and it barely gets driven (mostly because im scared of it breaking, lol).

I just need to get it fixed before the Crawl in July. Im sure we will be doing alot of sitting and idling with the AC on, and i dont need to be blowing smoke at everyone.......

I guess i have my work cut out for me this weekend.

[Pinkyman]

I got some better pictures, and it's still up in the air. It may be the oil filter adapter orings, and the rms. I'll have to take a closer look tomorrow night. There is oil all over my upper control arm, so that leads me to the orings, but my starter isn't soaked like the rest of it....

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160526_181216_zpsgzffmta1.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160526_181216_zpsgzffmta1.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160526_181651_zpsuzifg7dp.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160526_181651_zpsuzifg7dp.jpg.html)



And I don't know what this is, but it doesn't look good lol. The top is my oil pan, and the bottom is my inspection cover

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Screenshot_20160526-194104_zpsoxnyduro.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Screenshot_20160526-194104_zpsoxnyduro.png.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Better check it, but that first pic looks like some tranny fluid is in that drip

[Pinkyman]

It sure looks like oil, but it would make sense if the transmission fluid was blowing out somewhere too. I've got some diagnosing to do tomorrow night or Saturday I guess lol

[Carves]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160526_181651_zpsuzifg7dp.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160526_181651_zpsuzifg7dp.jpg.html)


Since any oil from the RMS wont be migrating forward,
... thats a pretty good indication of bad o-rings or maybe oil filter seal.



Better check it, but that first pic looks like some tranny fluid is in that drip


You thinking an oil pump seal, or something, too ?



And I don't know what this is, but it doesn't look good lol. The top is my oil pan, and the bottom is my inspection cover


ohhhh ... thats just the RMS popping out .. :D:D

Even tho the RMS was nearly shot on mine ... most of the leaking was coming from a pan gasket issue.

When you do the home based, on vehicle, fix - that so many recommend,
... Its possible for the pan gasket to get a twist/kink in that spot when you refit the pan.

Since I had a couple of go's, getting it in place - to my satisfaction,
... I suspect a PO had skimmed over some homebrew, interwebz, "tutorial", and botched the job.

[4.3LXJ]

Yup, I am thinking that front seal is not sealing so well

[4.3LXJ]

When you do the home based, on vehicle, fix - that so many recommend,
... Its possible for the pan gasket to get a twist/kink in that spot when you refit the pan.

Since I had a couple of go's, getting it in place - to my satisfaction,
... I suspect a PO had skimmed over some homebrew, interwebz, "tutorial", and botched the job.

Is this kind of like getting your panties in a bunch?:smiley-taunt002:

[Pinkyman]

I think I may have found part of my issue... I warmed up the Jeep, drove it around the block a few times, ran it through the gears and then checked the transmission fluid level while running this time......

This is what I found.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Screenshot_20160526-213037_zpsyuzc9hkj.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Screenshot_20160526-213037_zpsyuzc9hkj.png.html)



Im only assuming that my fluid was so low, that it caused something to overheat. I just checked, and the fluid all over definitely doesn't smell like transmission fluid. I'm at a loss.

I also checked the transmission vent, if that's the one on the firewall behind the oil filter. It had a little mushroom cap on it, and that and the dip stick tube were dry as could be, so that's not where it came from.

[Pinkyman]

So im digging through my pictures, and i came across this....... Ill have to double check it when i get home, but it sure looks like there is fluid coming out of the trans breather. That would explain the transmission fluid loss, and it would explain why the drivers side is soaked in oil/atf.

Now if thats it, i need to hope its the hose, and not where the hose plugs into the trans.

*Edit: This is the front of my transfer case, whewe it bolts to my transmission. AKA its impossible for this to be my issue lol. :bang:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/Screenshot_20160527-093644_zps9gu3edm2.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/Screenshot_20160527-093644_zps9gu3edm2.png.html)

[Pookapotamus]

Yup and it would not explain the oil on your oil filter, sorry keep looking, what does your oil pressure sensor look like? It is common for them to go and start leaking.


Having 4WD means getting stuck in more inaccessible places!

[Pinkyman]

The oil pressure sensor was dry, other than some old seepage around it, nothing fresh though. I'm going to try to get the filter adapter orings on my way home. Then I'll clean it all up and let it run for a while and see what happens.

Oh and I need to add transmission fluid too lol

[Pookapotamus]

Good luck!


Having 4WD means getting stuck in more inaccessible places!

[Carves]

Is this kind of like getting your panties in a bunch http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/flags/american-flag.gif (http://www.sherv.net/) .. ?:smiley-taunt002:


If you're asking whether the kinked gasket is a bit like,

... getting your knickers in a knot http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/flags/australian-flag.gif (http://www.sherv.net/) .....


Yes .. :p .. :D:D


So im digging through my pictures, and i came across this....... Ill have to double check it when i get home, but it sure looks like there is fluid coming out of the trans breather. That would explain the transmission fluid loss, and it would explain why the drivers side is soaked in oil/atf.

Now if thats it, i need to hope its the hose, and not where the hose plugs into the trans.

*Edit: This is the front of my transfer case, whewe it bolts to my transmission. AKA its impossible for this to be my issue lol. :bang:


Theres a bung in the transfer case that might be part of your problem..

Looking to the rear of of the vehicle ... its too the left of the front shaft output.

I'm impressed with where the runny dex 3 ... can migrate to, from that hole .. :rolleyes: .. :bang: .. :D

[toledojeeper]

I chased a leak for 1 year , changed rear main seal , valve cover , and oil filter o rings and still leaked . I put dye in oil and was leaking at camshaft synchronizer , changed it today and old one had no gasket on it , I let it run for half hour and put black light on it and so far no leak . Just got to drive it for a while to see what happens but I believe it is finally fixed and seems to run better .

[Pinkyman]

If you're asking whether the kinked gasket is a bit like,

... getting your knickers in a knot http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/flags/australian-flag.gif (http://www.sherv.net/) .....


Yes .. :p .. :D:D




Theres a bung in the transfer case that might be part of your problem..

Looking to the rear of of the vehicle ... its too the left of the front shaft output.

I'm impressed with where the runny dex 3 ... can migrate to, from that hole .. :rolleyes: .. :bang: .. :D

If that were the issue, would it be able to make its way to the bottom of the bell housing?

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

[4.3LXJ]

If that were the issue, would it be able to make its way to the bottom of the bell housing?

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

That is probably rear main seal or back of the valve cover gasket

[toledojeeper]

If that were the issue, would it be able to make its way to the bottom of the bell housing?

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

If you want to find it quickly do the dye , I should of did it a year ago would of saved me time and money .:bang:

[Pinkyman]

That is probably rear main seal or back of the valve cover gasket

I replaced the valve cover gasket a few weeks ago. I will hopefully have some info tomorrow, and I may be ordering an rms and oil pan gasket this weekend.

[4.3LXJ]

Thought for the day ; If your Jeep doesn't leak, it is probably out of fluid :D

[Pinkyman]

Well I found that my transmission cooler lines are both kinked by my oil filter, so that may be the cause of it running hot. I will have to splice in some rubber hose there.

On the bright side, my flywheel is dry, and so is the bottom of the inside of my bellhousing, so that's good news!

The treasure trail of what looks to be oil dripping off everything as I drive it into the garage.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160528_081432_zpsocdpzsx4.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160528_081432_zpsocdpzsx4.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160528_082438_zpsbyi0bjaq.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160528_082438_zpsbyi0bjaq.jpg.html)



The kinked cooler lines

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160528_085316_zpszytk0bff.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160528_085316_zpszytk0bff.png.html)

[Pinkyman]

Upon further investigation, I believe it's transmission fluid. I let it run for an hour, and all the vitals looked good, with no leaks.

The next step will be replacing the kinked lines, and replacing my electric fan and see what happens.

[Pinkyman]

I can't see that this was helping with my transmission overheating...... I sectioned in some rubber transmission cooler hose. I guess now I have to go drive it and see what happens.

These are 2 separate lines. One was the outbound, and one was the return.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160529_145259_zpsklko9de5.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160529_145259_zpsklko9de5.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160529_145336_zpsfidqyzkj.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160529_145336_zpsfidqyzkj.jpg.html)

[Pinkyman]

Well, i drove it into work today. And under normal driving conditions, when the temp is sitting at 195, and i am not running the AC (i still havent replaced the electric fan, it should be here tomorrow), it runs out fine and does not leak at all. Im hoping that this goes back to the temperature, and that it was getting hot and puking fluid.

I guess i will find out on my way home this afternoon, but hopefully it is cooling adequately now that those lines arent kinked.

It was dry as could be when i got to work

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160602_074007_zps6e9qc07v.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160602_074007_zps6e9qc07v.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160602_074108_zps6ullznzw.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160602_074108_zps6ullznzw.jpg.html)

[Pookapotamus]

Congrats! Glad you finally figured it out!


Having 4WD means getting stuck in more inaccessible places!

[Pinkyman]

Congrats! Glad you finally figured it out!


Having 4WD means getting stuck in more inaccessible places!

Dont jinx me! Hahahaha ;)

[Pinkyman]

So on my way home, I ran without the AC on. My temp didn't go over 200, and I didn't have fluid blow everywhere.

I did crawl under it when I got home..... I'm hoping this is just residual. I'll have to clean it up again and see what happens.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160602_184302_zpskziosb9w.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160602_184302_zpskziosb9w.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160602_184433_zpsdurr8h2n.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160602_184433_zpsdurr8h2n.jpg.html)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/Rocketryan1/20160602_184444_zpsns74rgk8.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Rocketryan1/media/20160602_184444_zpsns74rgk8.jpg.html)