jeep xj rear main seal leaking

[@chasmurphy1253]

Just went through this operation on son's XJ in December. Was a 1st for both of us! Crank was grooved as well (original motor with 172k) but that wasn't my heartburn. I nicked the sealing surface of crank with punch trying to persuade the old seal out. An hour and a half of polishing upside down on a freezing cold concrete floor later, we put it back together and the seal held... At least for a month or so. Leak is back, but just a little bit compared to previous - I am saying it's from the groove, not the expert polish work! I lived, and learned. If I were to do it again, I would use a plastic punch, and now I know where not to drift the seal from. Digging the videos, as always.

[@guitar14]

Great video Rusty411. I also enjoy the little tips and tricks you include that you wouldn't find in a manual. Keep it up. Thanks.

[@wyattandwill12]

Yours is a lot dryer than mine before you even started 🤣 I haven’t driven it much since I bought it needing a lot of work but everything is covered in oil. Eventually the rear main got much worse on me and now it needs to be replaced if I wanna make it to work and back without a quart of oil. I have parts for the valve cover and the oil filter adapter too so I’ll have minimal leaks if any afterward.

[@donjohnson3701]

Righteous video! Seating the rear cap so doesn’t bind during torquing was a great tip. Stay with the 4.0 man.

[@russellhemenway7467]

Very informative. You do a great job of explaining the whys and hows.

[@ottoloenneker7105]

Around the 24 minute mark, there is a crazy domestic disturbance in the background... Lady screaming, dude yelling..But here we are, hyper focused on rolling that main seal gasket. I appreciate that part.

[@drubradley8821]

just a side note... for future reference, go through with a torque wrench, and check the oil pan bolts, to see if there are to spec.. typically in (in.lbs.)... clean things up, drive for the normal habits.... check the following day.. of course, if still leaking ,change the seal(s) & gaskets... but many times, not always, but, many times that has allows for additional 5,000 to 10,000 miles before the issue shows its ugly head... that is if the sealing system was installed correctly in the firs place. Your issue of course is with the rear main seal.... cool video though!, keep up the good work Boss.

[@Rusty411]

yes I am thinking that grove was probably in the crank when they remand the engine that's a time consuming fix it has leaked a little since I bought the engine hopefully it will last through the summer they probably wouldn't weld it up and turn it back down in that area to save money ive seen remand cranks with 10 20 and 30 on diff journals they do it cheap as they can get away with thanks for the comment

[@tombrooks8565]

great content. I appreciate your tenacity and calm demeanor while you replaced the top seal.

[@Rusty411]

Yakky Doodle thanks hope the video helped you out

[@nugent5438]

How’s the seal holding up? I’m replacing the 4.0 in my project XJ. It is a low mile engine out of a running 96. I am going to preemptively replace the pan gasket, rear main, oil pump, and oil filter housing gaskets. Figure it’s much easier to do all that with the motor on a stand! Hope all is well!

[@skippyjones2077]

Great video bro thanks you rock I’m 61 been working on cars all my life it’s not easy but can save the green backs... lol

[@pneumann4195]

Great shot of the actual leak. Thanks for doing that. Thanks for tips!! Paul Calgary Alberta

[@LisaLisa-ln8sm]

Great point to put oil into the pump (to sort of prime it or create pressure). It wold totally stink to go through all of that and have it not work!

[@felixvargas4112]

you made that look like a walk in the park. smooth man!... I need to do that to my zj's 5.2

[@rootclancustoms5985]

I'm doing my 5.2 right now. Be alot easier if lifted. What videos dont tell you is how much of the steering you have to remove, the starter and mount plate. Spending most of the time just getting the pan out

[@dukainmanning7246]

If you put the top part of the gasket in the freezer, would it shrink enough to go in easier?

[@wrathofdon63]

Your lucky, with that much lift, only removing the oil pan is a dream...piece of cake to change the rear main seal.

[@Rusty411]

+wrathof don yeah made it easy lol hey we have a face book group search groups on face book for rusty411

[@dominionn09]

wrathof don Yeah note to self.. Get my lift before replacing the RMS.. Lol

[@reddyuda]

Invest in a good set of 12 ton jack stands, I have a 4.5" lift and I would still probably get the fame on jack stands to let the front axle droop. Just jack it up and let it rest on the frame, and if you need even more droop from the front axle you can unbolt the shocks.

[@luxstar4life]

Did mine yesterday, 4.75 inches of lift rougly and still had to let the axle droop to get the pan out.

[@Skiridr22]

Lol 😂 how did you get leaves 🍃 in there.

[@MadDogXJ]

Awesome Video. Thx for taking your time recording this, and all your other videos

[@DjDubStak]

Nice leaf blower u got there. Great job

[@jurassicjeeper1996]

love your videos so much info and detail .... my xj has 269k on it gunna rebuild motor in the future but runs like a top still

[@sixteenstone007]

I dodged that main cap bolt like I was under there with you lol

[@Rusty411]

Gotta bob and weave lol 😆

[@williamjacobs4274]

Thanks. Great video as always. I have to do mine soon. Keep up the great work.

[@skippyjones2077]

Hey what’s going on brother I have to do this on my 2000 XJ Thank you for sharing your video great job...👍❤️☮️🙏✌️

[@Smokevolt]

Am I the only one who ducked my head to dodge that bolt at 13:12? >.

[@r.weaver3769]

Also fill oil filter during oil change, reduces time engine runs till oil pressure builds.

[@todhollandsworth4371]

The last rear main I done had one them bolts hit me in the head top seal I put some dawn on mine and it slid right in slicked up the outside worked real well it didnt hurt anything what was on it eventually burnt off that was in a 93 grand cherokee 4.0 next be a 2000 tj

[@JBetoRodrigues]

Hi mate..WELL DONE. Thanks for he video..What torque on those all bolts and nuts PLEASE

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

I always wanted a truck that I never needed a lift. so nice to just be able to crawl under it ...

[@joracer1]

ATP 205 reseal..... it works, I've been a mechanic for 40 years and 90% or more of all products like this are gimmicks, I tried this and it works..I had a friend tell me about it, but I didn't believe it would work, but it did. I don't mind tearing into a engine to repair it, but if a seal softener really works (but most don't) then I'm all for it.

[@dewmontjerkins9886]

I dumped it in my XJ and it didn't do a damn thing.

[@joracer1]

@@dewmontjerkins9886 the 1st time I put in in my f 150 power steering pump, it didn't stop, I was disappointed but I noticed it slowed down the leak, so I put some more, to my surprise it stopped it, lasted about 1 year, it started to leak again about 3 weeks ago, i added some more and it did stop the leak again but. the truck needs a new rack $315, the oring is inside the rack so I will have to install a new one soon..

[@schmittybuilds1624]

I just pulled my pan yesterday and had a leaf in it. I don’t know how?

[@sargon4037]

I found a two feathers in the bottom of my oil pump. And it's funny that he cut out the part of him taking out the upper rear main seal lmfao. Good stuff. I bet he did get down on it lol

[@drubradley8821]

reminds me of the "MEME" that says... ((my jeep isn't leaking, it is marking its territory))...lol

[@Rusty411]

she was leaking horse power lol

[@dukainmanning7246]

Great video, chances are I'll be doing the same thing with a XJ I bought from my coworker. It's got a 3in lift on it. What size air compressor do you have?

[@dudesweet1332]

love your videos man..ill see ya one day out in the woods

[@jorgenoneya5382]

What sucked for me the most on my 05 TJ is removing the freaking catalytic converters (exhaust) in order to drop the oil pan!!!

[@bah5310]

Yeah, I broke one of those clips on the manifold.

[@RDCards]

Great video bud. Really nice to see this done.

[@johnwatts6480]

Would you consider using a speedi sleeve to correct that scarred area vs pulling the crank? I don’t have a Jeep but just wondering. I have a rear main seal leak on 1973 Bronco with 302/5.0L engine.

[@romain3948]

Hello. Is it possible to perform this operation with the axle? My Jeep XJ is in 4.5 inches. Thank you (Bonjour. Est-il possible d'effectuer cette opération avec l'essieu? Ma Jeep XJ est en 4,5 pouces. Je vous remercie)

[@Skiridr22]

I had the one on my 97 changed awhile back

[@murphtahoe1]

Silly question, Just how hard and long are you having to hit that upper seal before it starts to move? Great video by the way!

[@bah5310]

I hit mine around 8-10 times and way harder than I thought I would need to.

[@666Necropsy]

@rusty 411 what kind of yellow paint is on those downpipes? did it hold up?

[@3rdeyemusicmcdonald631]

Awesome video brother

[@Vcoldduck]

what is the minimum lift you need to get a pan off like you did? Also a speedy sleeve would solve the groove in the crank, or at least it did on my Chevy. What year XJ do you have?

[@haorla]

I have a 1995 wrangler 4.0L straight 6 cyl does the transmission have to be dropped to get to the seal, I did not see this in your video

[@Rusty411]

No remove the oil pan and your in

[@damelloman]

Damn good video! Thanks for the info!

[@nicholasotoole7171]

I replaced the rear main seal... twice. in my 2000 jeep xj. First seal was a fel-pro. It wasn't even cut right. Never lined up (I didn't know until I removed it due to my jeep still leaking, and then compared to the seal I bought at a dealership.) The dealership seal is cut right and lines up... but I drove jeep today. It still leaks... The oil drips right onto my exhaust and causes it to smoke. My seal is the kind without the tabs. I don't know what to do at this point.

[@Rusty411]

Nicholas O'Toole is there a groove worn into the crank ?

[@nicholasotoole7171]

Rusty 411 my dad and I checked. He said there wasn't. The second time iI replaced the seal. I checked. It didn't look like there was a groove. Maybe there is and I missed it, I really don't know.

[@Rusty411]

Nicholas O'Toole yeah that sucks hope you get it figured out the only other option if there is a groove is a new crank shaft

[@nicholasotoole7171]

Rusty 411 yeah thank you. We are gonna have to get back to it early next week

[@romain3948]

What type of glue (RTV) should be used for the joint? How long before refilling the oil in the crankcase? (Quelle type de colle (RTV) il faut utiliser pour le joint? Il faut attendre combien de temps avant de remetre l'huile dans le carter moteur? )

[@Rusty411]

Romain Lévy black RVT

[@romain3948]

OK. thank you

[@graken22]

Grooved crank, it's over! Crank kit!

[@22yoshifan]

ive got the same issue did mine in December and its still leaking. I've done the valve cover gasket and that didn't fix the leak so im thinking i screwed up when installing the rear main. You can reuse the oil pan gasket ?

[@Rusty411]

Zack.V of it the rubber one piece yes I drove it about 30 miles after the video it's all good I've reused them before on diff engines why I always get that type of gasket

[@22yoshifan]

Awesome i bought a felpro one piece last time, i think i didn't wait long enough for the rtv to set up. How long did you wait to fill it back up with oil ?

[@22yoshifan]

I put on a one piece felpro one when i did it. How long did you let the rtv set up for before filling with oil and starting ? cause thats what i have a feeling i did wrong when i did mine.

[@Rusty411]

Zack.V I don't think that's the issue I went at til time to put in oil maybe 1 hour maybe it should seal with out rvt the only thing I can think is maybe the lip was the wrong way on your seal ? or sometimes we just miss and have to go at it again man

[@22yoshifan]

I guess i will see when i get out of College in a couple weeks, Thanks love the videos keep em coming! watching all the way from Ontario Canada.

[@jeepXstreme]

Great vid! nice job.

[@twinturbo7234]

Can Prime pump with distributor out , mark position first.

[@drubradley8821]

Hey Boss, while I'm thinking about it, I'll ask you..... as per, the AX-15 manual transmission, the dust shield at the bottom area of the bell housing, is there any issues that would be caused, if one was to completely RTV the clutch area up, all the way around the bell housing, sealing it from the outside elements, especially for deep water navigation, like nasty thick mud.... as long as the engine is running, the spring plate assembly is fine, but once the engine is turned off, results of being stuck in 3 foot of muddy water, the whole area can & does fill up with mud. If you are in that deep, and you kinda have to turn the engine off after a short moment, so you can prep the winch rigging, and due to the electric fan being half submerged if not completely submerged, as the fan is on a switch by-pass from the preset automatic thermal fan controller.. other wise, the fuses will blow, and or, the fan motor will trash out, if it is trying to run in the distilled stagnant trail muck... The only issue that I think would be a problem, is the adhesive action of the RTV holding the bell housing to the back of the engine block if I need to get back in there, but still not a big deal? is there anything else that would be a serious issue of why the clutch area can't be sealed off from the elements, maybe heat build up? The tiny opening/void areas need to be there to allow the clutch dust to be drained out? I really don't know, I am reaching for straws, as to why I simply can't seal that area up.. but there is nothing out there on the net that seams to make any sense of why or why not.. other then a few idiots that that make the claim to not do it, but never giving a reason why... what is your take on this? if you don't mind and have a moment... Don't worry, I won't hold you accountable... besides, the jeep has almost 200,000 on her..... LOL....but, the constant threat of trashing a fan is solved ,trashing an alternator is solved, likewise with the starter solved too.... but, packing the clutch with mud, due to the design of all the openings surrounding it... nothing to go on... I really enjoy your channel, by the way. Drew

[@Rusty411]

Dru Bradley I've thought about doing mine that way before I don't see any problem with sealing it up lift trucks with standard Trans are all totally sealed up by the Bell housing the o ly thing I would do is put a threaded hole and a plug in the bottom of the bell house so you can drain it if any did get it there I've seen a lot of clutches get full of mud and stop working it's a good idea man do it and figure out how to make it better if it still gets in there that's what I would do if I had a clutch in the mud def

[@Rusty411]

Dru Bradley I've thought about doing mine that way before I don't see any problem with sealing it up lift trucks with standard Trans are all totally sealed up by the Bell housing the o ly thing I would do is put a threaded hole and a plug in the bottom of the bell house so you can drain it if any did get it there I've seen a lot of clutches get full of mud and stop working it's a good idea man do it and figure out how to make it better if it still gets in there that's what I would do if I had a clutch in the mud def

[@pawpawsplants8728]

Dru Bradley I sealed mine and i thought it helped

[@drubradley8821]

And you have not noticed any side effects... clutch fade due to over heating or something?.... Right on!!! Thank you guys for the info.

[@pawpawsplants8728]

Dru Bradley not at all. I usually have the most problems with mud and water getting in the slave. it seems to keep all that crap out of it

[@elisancere3578]

Dear Rusty I recently purchased a 91 jeep cherokee 4.0 for 350$ AX15 trans . what is the first thing to check for, I can't turn the crank. I have tried to spin it with the starter and manually with the harmonic balancer. oil looks good and antifreeze looks good also. any suggestions? thanks for all that you do.

[@Rusty411]

pull the spark plugs out see if any thing is up with the plugs like something hit one I've seen them break pistons before if you can't turn it with the balancer bolt doesn't song good pull the plugs make sure the head gasket isn't blown and you got a cylinder full of coolant or a broke piston

[@Rusty411]

Eli Sancere also check out our face book group search groups for Rusty411 I'll add you

[@elisancere3578]

Rusty 411 I'm working on it tomorrow and I'll do that. let you know

[@derdachshund]

No one ever does a video on how to put the oil pan back in. On a stock XJ. Boy is that a real pain. Today I get to find out if the gasket is sitting properly.

[@Rusty411]

Remove the bolts from the front shocks and Jack the body up let the axle drop down out of the way that helps

[@Hardy_boy1]

Great video it helped me out

[@Firefightertab]

Good job.. appropriate.. keep calm thanks man

[@justjeepn2586]

Hey bud I kno this is an old video but I have a 98 xj an I’ve replaced oil pan, valve cover gasket am rear seal but it’s leaking again, but after degreasing everything oil seems to be coming from the flap on the bell housing where the crank sensor flap is.. u think this could be the rear seal again...

[@Rusty411]

Yep probably so mine has a groove in the crank where the seal rides causing it to leak again also im gonna have to pull the engine to fix it soon on the channel

[@danhambrick6331]

I have seen guys use dish soap to help that new seal go in.The leaf was a trip...

[@Rusty411]

dan hambrick yeah that leaf had me thinking how could that even happen lol

[@Jayd0993]

How hard was it to remove that bottom oil pan ?

[@Rusty411]

it was easy on mine but I do have 8.5 of lift jack it up and drop the axle down far as it will drop and it may come out as easy as mine did

[@dembrowi_n_c.5111]

did you notice two black little rings where the main seal goes in the bearing cap?

[@Rusty411]

I didn't

[@05glisedan]

Thanks for posting. I gotta do the same thing.

[@Skiridr22]

Great video as usual.

[@givemetheoutdoors1590]

I love it this is next on my list

[@donaldfindley730]

What a great video thank you

[@tuttmamman3490]

Is this possible without a lift?

[@Slobberdog66]

Nice well done . Thanks for that.

[@michaeldurling793]

Hey, ya almost got me right in the eye with that main cap bolt. Ya ought to hear me moaning and groaning trying to get up off the floor. I got 20 years on ya, it just keeps gettin better.

[@corypalmerini1610]

Good info, wait till you hit 53 n still playing around w these things.lol

[@darrellwilliams4520]

What you mean 'still'? I'm 52 and just starting! 🤣

[@brodie6966]

Good video! Thanks

[@jvmilan1]

What wheel flares do you have

[@Rusty411]

Rustys off-road search steel flares

[@xXTECHxKNIGHTXx]

If this seal is installed incorrectly could it cause a stream of oil to leak out after a few moments of running? Also could a pinched pan gasket cause this as well?

[@Rusty411]

Marcus Zizzo pinched gasket will pour out if the seal is backwards it would leak but not super bad about like mine was at the beginning of this video

[@xXTECHxKNIGHTXx]

Thanks for the reply, I'm looking to buy a half finished 91 xj project and that stream of oil is worry some.

[@Rusty411]

Marcus Zizzo yeah talk em down and it may be a easy fix maybe lol

[@xXTECHxKNIGHTXx]

I'm hoping it is lol, he's asking for 1700 with a 4.5 inch lift half way installed.

[@xXTECHxKNIGHTXx]

Rusty 411 lowest he will go is 1500, still a good deal?

[@petyweestraw]

Hey XJ peeps and Rusty. Who can tell me the nut size and thread pattern on the ground strap nut on the back of the head on that drivers side?

[@Rusty411]

petyweestraw not sure without pulling it off you can ground the chassis anywhere on the block if you can get to that spot

[@brewsterjepsen7921]

how long did that rear main seal take you to change?

[@Rusty411]

Couple hours

[@brewsterjepsen7921]

@@Rusty411 thanks! one more question, what seal and gasket did you use OME or off brand? Great video by the way!

[@Rusty411]

@@brewsterjepsen7921 I used Felpro for both any local parts store should have it

[@twinturbo7234]

Best one out there.

[@Skiridr22]

You probably pick it up on one of the trails you visited.

[@Rusty411]

Skiridr22 I have no idea how that thing got it there it lol crazy

[@CNGaming101]

Hey rusty I'm back. So guess what. There's no way urs is leaking cause my tundra just started the same damn thing on Friday. Thought it was wheel cylinders so started that then was told it was this. So yay spent the money and replaced wheel cylinder myself for nothing. Nobody I know knows how to do this so I gotta pay like $800 to fix it.

[@kjamesjr]

Now show us the oil filter adapter oring

[@lh1678]

23:48 WTF is going on in the background sounds like Rusty 911 to me.

[@JCcanU]

Dodge 3.9L Magnum is the same .

[@Katarinarabbit]

Remember a leak u can’t count is ok

[@shagnassey]

239000 miles ! it had to leak.

[@comanchefun1612]

Thats the damnedest thing

[@pqpq1000able]

🖒🖒🖒