Oil leak, but from where?

[XJ Un-Limited]

Specs.... 1992 Cherokee Limited with the 4.0 HO and all the goodies.

It's coming from the front right of the block. Basically underneath and to the inside of the alternator. I've changed the oil pan gasket out about 8 months ago, but that didn't slow it down any. There's no visible leaks from the head on up. I haven't torn into it yet to narrow it down and see for myself, so I figure I'd ask to see what ideas you all come up with.

I've let this go too long now to ignore, the driveway is oil splattered and the underside of the Jeep is WELL lubed.

On the plus side, the right side motor mount and the tranny mount was easy to change the other day.

 

[Dr. Dyno]

The leak could be coming from the gasket between the timing cover and the block. If you can't find it because there's oil everywhere, degrease the whole engine until it's clean and then check again the next day after you've run the engine for a while. The oil leak should become apparent.

 

[Rambo]

check the oil filter adaptor, the piece between the filter and block

 

[Rocketman]

Distributor O rings or oil filter adapter o rings, almost certain!

 

[XgeekstarX]

mine did the same thing and it turned out to be a bolt that holds the alternator bracket on was loose from when i swapped alternators.

 

[XJ Un-Limited]

Before it goes too far, it's not the oil filter adapter rings, I changed those out when I did the motor mounts. The other possibilites sound legitimate enough though. Thanks the ideas so far.

 

[planefixer]

A good way to pin point an oil leak is to thoroughly clean the engine then sprinkle talcum powder on the suspected areas.Any oil leaks will leave a nice trail in the powder leading to the source of the leak.Once the leak is found wash off the powder and repair leak.Sounds funny but it works.

 

[Cox89XJ]

Planefixer, Thats a good idea about finding oil leaks. I'll have to give it a try on my Jeep.

 

[XJ Un-Limited]

Thanks for the replies and ideas. Upon closer inspection, it looks like it's the either the timing cover or the front seal. I will replace both the seal and the gasket since I'll be tearing all that down anyways.

Since I'll be doing that, is there any other common fixes I should do while I have it all tore apart? I'm thinking maybe the fan clutch for now. The engine has seen 143,000+ miles on it so far without hardly a sign of getting weak, it's actually getting better since I rescued it from the last no having mechanical sense owner.

 

[montanaman]

Since I'll be doing that, is there any other common fixes I should do while I have it all tore apart?

maybe new timing chain?

 

[Midnight Krawler]

Check your belt pulleys for wear, especially the balancer. The serpentine belt can rub against the timing cover and wear/slice a hole through it. This, causing oil to run down and all over the front and side of the engine.