What is this and should it be leaking?

[KYJeep11]

Sorry for the ignorance, but I was crawling around under the Jeep today ('03 TJR) and noticed this. Anything to be concerned about?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Most will say it's the rear main seal but a good starting point can be the valve cover gasket that can leak down the rear of the engine. If you're so inclined clean the rear of the head and keep an eye on it for a few days. Also could try re-tightening the the series of bolts around the valve cover.

 

[cliffish]

yes it is one of the two. I did the valve cover gasket and have the parts for the RMS. It barley leaves a couple drops so I am going to leave it alone.

 

[tom.gordon.562]

Should be able to tell if it's gear oil. Mine leaks and looks just like yours. Mine is gear oil from transmission. Figure it's the front tramission seal.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[MountaineerTom]

It could also be the back of the oil pan gasket. That’s what it was in my case. Once getting the pan off I could see the oil pan gasket was torn a little and causing the leak.

Start with the valve cover though like others have said. It a lot easier. Hopefully that’s it.

 

[pagrey]

Sorry for the ignorance, but I was crawling around under the Jeep today ('03 TJR) and noticed this. Anything to be concerned about?

Valve cover or rear main seal, that is nothing to be concerned about. Most Jeeps leak some oil.

I've had a much larger one for more than 50,000 miles now. It keeps the rear half of my Jeep rust free. If you have to add oil between changes or if you park some place it is an issue you might consider taking care of it.

 

[KYJeep11]

Thanks everyone, you guys are awesome!

 

[Jeep Joe]

Should be able to tell if it's gear oil. Mine leaks and looks just like yours. Mine is gear oil from transmission. Figure it's the front tramission seal.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

That doesn’t make sense for transmission fluid to travel up there, assuming it’s a manual, that’s where the clutch/flywheel is, no transmission fluid in there. Both jeeps I’ve owned have leaked like that, it’s not a big deal, it’s just little droplets of oil.

 

[Camdenst]

I’d go with motor oil.

 

[tom.gordon.562]

Manual transmission. Runs down the inside of bell housing to lowest point.

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[Jeep Joe]

Manual transmission. Runs down the inside of bell housing to lowest point.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Oh I see, I thought you were referring to the inspection plate as the front transmission seal. my bad.

 

[89grand]

I thought I'd just throw this out there, which may help you in the future. If you see anything leaking, it shouldn't be.

 

[driver]

Should be able to tell if it's gear oil. Mine leaks and looks just like yours. Mine is gear oil from transmission. Figure it's the front tramission seal.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Maybe a silly question, but how do you tell the difference? I have the same leak in my '03 and I've just assumed it was motor oil. Now you've got me wondering...

 

[pagrey]

I thought I'd just throw this out there, which may help you in the future. If you see anything leaking, it shouldn't be.

My Jeep is leaking water from the A/C, what should I do?

 

[89grand]

My Jeep is leaking water from the A/C, what should I do?

It's not leaking water, it's draining water.

 

[L J]

89grand beat me to it

 

[liquidfluidity]

It's not leaking water, it's draining water.

Day two of the week and I needed a good laugh. Thanks!

 

[pagrey]

It's not leaking water, it's draining water.

My Jeep doesn't leak oil, it slowly drains oil.

 

[Jamison C]

Is it bad that when I read the thread title my first thought was “that’s what she said?”

 

[89grand]

My Jeep doesn't leak oil, it slowly drains oil.

That's good. Oil leaks suck. How long does it take to change the oil, since it drains so slow?