You noticed a leak in your Jeep and think it might be the engine, but from what you can tell, the leak is coming from the engine somewhere. One of the most common causes of oil leaks off a vehicle is faulty seals on certain parts or components. You need to find out which ones are going bad and try to fix them before it’s too late. In this article, I will be discussing the possible causes and solutions to an oil leak in your Jeep.
Jeep Leaking Oil Common Causes
Jeep leaking oil off the engine:
Probably the most commonplace for your Jeep to leak oil is from the engine itself, especially if it’s been neglected and not maintained on time. The motor can have broken seals around it causing oil to leak onto hot surfaces or on the ground. If you need help locating where your Jeep is leaking from, stop by a local auto parts store and they should be able to help you locate leaks with special devices.
Leaking Valve Cover:
Maybe you’ve done many mods to your Jeep, but it still makes a bit of noise. One of the reasons is from a valve cover gasket that could have been damaged or worn out. Your Jeep can have compression leaks that can affect everything else on the vehicle.
Worn Rear Main Seal:
This is very common place for a jeep to leak oil, especially if you’ve been on the road for a minute or two. With only a small amount of wear to the seal, you can notice oil leaking from various spots around the engine. One of the best ways to tell if the rear main seal is leaky is to look into the engine compartment where the vehicle is running. You should see oil dripping from the rear main seal itself or from the bottom of the engine where it runs to the rear main seal.
Front Oil Pan gasket:
If you only have a small oil leak, then you need to check the front oil pan for possible damage. There may be a damaged oil pan gasket that’s worn out or even a broken oil pan stud. The area of the Jeep that the oil pan is attached to with bolts might also need to be checked for damage. You should definitely inspect all of these areas for signs of damage before going through any repairs.
Jeep Leaking Oil Solutions
Replace Oil Gasket Pan:
Whether it’s a bad gasket or even a broken bolt, you’ll need to replace the oil pan gasket. It’s fairly easy to do, but it will require you to remove your Jeep’s oil pan. You can do that by opening the hood and allowing the fans and air conditioning to blow out the remnants of old oil and removing it underneath your Jeep. However, be careful while lifting off the pan because damage could still be present that you wouldn’t recognize until it was too late.
Have the vehicle professionally inspected:
If you notice a loss of oil and it’s been more than a couple of months then it might be time to have your vehicle inspected professionally. If you’re uncertain about what to do or if you’re not sure about where the leak may be located, then call or stop by your local auto parts store to have them give you an honest opinion. You could potentially save yourself a lot of money and hassle if you figure out the leak before things get worse.
Replace Valve Cover Gasket:
Your Jeep may be running too hot because of a leaky valve cover gasket. Your engine can dump hot oil on a lot of hot components if you let it go without being serviced. If you have access to great used parts, then try searching online for one that suits your needs. If not, then go ahead and order one at your local auto parts store. The gaskets are fairly inexpensive should you need to replace it.
Replace Oil Pan Stud:
Your Jeep may need a new stud if you want to get rid of a leak from a possibly broken bolt or seal. Most people don’t realize that a stud is attached to the oil pan of your Jeep until it’s too late. To locate where the stud is, remove the oil pan and make sure there are no broken parts or any damage around it.
Conclusion
It’s always a good idea to have your vehicle inspected by professional mechanics, but if you don’t have time or money on your side, then do some inspection of your own. Most Jeep owners are pretty adamant about how their Jeep looks and drives, so they will do whatever they can to maintain it.
