98 TJ Maintenance Questions

[TmLIsMe14]

I have some questions about doing an oil change, what do you guys use for oil for your TJ's?

My TJ is a 4.0 with 155k on it when I bought it last October I had the oil changed at my mechanics shop, and from there every so often. But now that the virus is around my mechanic has since closed up shop until this whole thing blows over. So I will now take over the routine maintenance to the best of my ability with the help of my friends that know more about vehicles than I do.

While I have contact with my mechanic I try not to bother him too much with questions regarding his work during this time. But I did ask him what oil I should use for my oil change, since he has been changing my oil since I have moved back to CT, back in Oct of 19'. He told me to use 15w40. I asked my friends and they said it was a heavily weighted oil and one said it was for diesel engines, not knowing anything about this subject this went over my head. But I am thinking that this is not the oil suited for my TJ. Thoughts?

Also, I sent pictures of some type of leak to my mechanic via text, he said that it is a steering gearbox that is leaking and to check the power steering fluid, but the reservoir looks full. But the pictures I sent him (and will link) look damp, but with no puddles under the Jeep. So not sure what's up. Could I get some input?

 

[CharlesHS]

Since the steering box is only damp in appearance; it's not the output pressurized line and probably just the return line wheeping. You should check both power steering lines and the pump to verify what is leaking.
15W/40 is the recommended oil for a '93 Toyota Landcruiser 3.4L diesel that I own overseas and this viscosity is too heavy for your Jeep engine.
There are so many manufacturers of oil to choose from; Mobil 1, Shell, Pennzoil, Quaker State, etc...
The oil that I generally use is 10W/30 designed for high mileage vehicles.
I generally use 6 quarts of Mobil 1 with a Wix 51085 oil filter.

 

[TJ2]

I am surprised the mechanic says 15w40 oil. DO NOT go back to your mechanic from now on.

 

[jeepins]

From the factory Service Manual on 98's:

And any leak, try and wipe it down real good and then take a look at it. In that case you could clean the area with solvent, wipe it down, start it up and turn the wheel back and forth then go underneath and check again.

 

[qslim]

Your factory service manual is available for free in the TJ Resources subform. It's a great resource to have if you're just learning about maintenance, everything like fluid capacity & specification & general mx procedures. You can also look in the section for power steering and see how the hoses connect & are laid out.

15W-40 is a pretty dang heavy oil

 

[Goatman]

Either a 5W- or a 10W-30 is the correct oil to use. Unless the mech has a reason such as oil burning or leaking there is no purpose to be using such heavy oil. A small amount (1/2-1 qt.) of 15-40 can be used to help add extra zinc to the oil for reduced wear. The oil of today is formulated for the cars of today. And they need less zinc for them to run on.
As for the leak, get the whole area clean first. Use either some engine cleaner or some other type of heavy grease cutting cleaner and get the area as clean as possible. Leaks are often not where they seem to be. Especially with the fan blowing air all around. When the area is clean it will be much easier to correctly identify the problem. If you can identify the fluid that will help too.

 

[TmLIsMe14]

Alright thank you guys for all the replies. On another note what do think about adding seafoam? I'm thinking with how old my TJ is it might have some build up of something but not too sure. But I'd think I'd want to clean it out as much as possible. Any thoughts, options, suggestions?

Also, I finally took off my lightbar that came on my Jeep when I bought it. Only problem is that one of the bolts holding the bracket on was seized on and so me and a friend drilled it out and ended up with the picture below. Any idea how I can clean this up? I'm sure I'll need to retap it but if not could I clean it somehow with an internal thread cleaner? Not sure what my options are, the bolt is still stuck in the hole.

 

[TJ2]

The Seafoam is good to pour it to the gas tank if you do not have much experience - you might hydrolock if you do it through the vacuum hose.

The bolt is not for automotive, you might want to go to an auto store and get the right bolt for it.

 

[TmLIsMe14]

The Seafoam is good to pour it to the gas tank if you do not have much experience - you might hydrolock if you do it through the vacuum hose.

The bolt is not for automotive, you might want to go to an auto store and get the right bolt for it.

The bolt was there when I bought my TJ, it was the one that came with the lightbar bracket apparently. But when I went to remove the lightbar bracket finally that one bolt was stuck. A friend and I ended up drilling out the head just trying to get the bracket for lightbar off. Now I have the thread end stuck in the hole. I need to find a way to extract it but this I am not sure of, then I need to find a way to clean the interior threads of the hole, I would think I would need to retap it but if there is another way then could someone suggest some options, please?

 

[TJ2]

The bolt was there when I bought my TJ, it was the one that came with the lightbar bracket apparently. But when I went to remove the lightbar bracket finally that one bolt was stuck. A friend and I ended up drilling out the head just trying to get the bracket for lightbar off. Now I have the thread end stuck in the hole. I need to find a way to extract it but this I am not sure of, then I need to find a way to clean the interior threads of the hole, I would think I would need to retap it but if there is another way then could someone suggest some options, please?

No need to re-tap. There is a tool kit drill-bit bolt extractor for that (I bought one in Menards).