Our Cheap Rubicon Was Leaking A TON! Here is How We Fixed It! Simple Tips and Tricks!

Our new cheap Jeep was leaking about 1 quart per 100 miles! Insane! What did we expect? We purchased the thing for next to nothing! That being said, we had to tackle the issue! We used this link as a guide (wranglertjforum.com/threads/r...)
We go ahead and show you how to replace and repair a rear main seal RMS leak as well as an oil pan gasket OPG leak. We highlight some tips and tricks including anaerobic gasket maker and the various torque specs. Attempt this install at your own accord, it gets messy really quickly, and this job is more difficult on later model jeep tjs because of the exhaust downpipe.
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Fel pro oil pan gasket set - amzn.to/3cpxpO3
High temperature RTV - amzn.to/34FMAQU
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Ares technology PCM - arestechnologies.com/
Skyjacker lift kits: skyjacker.com/
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Affordable sun shade - amzn.to/2wWQQyq
Rear LED tail lights - amzn.to/2wa7evn
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Please reach out if you have any questions! Happy jeeping!

[@Garagecouple]

IF you want to check out some of our favorite jeep mods, here you go! Rocktrix Rims - amzn.to/2xS8Mus Rocktrix wheel spacer adapter - amzn.to/2yDVmD3 Plug and palo HALO LED headlights - amzn.to/36O7sW9 Smoked LED turn signal - amzn.to/2EQ7X67 Steel Stinger Front bumper - amzn.to/2WjykMA Smittybilt cargo cover - amzn.to/2QeIMzQ Ares technology PCM - arestechnologies.com/ Skyjacker lift kits: skyjacker.com/ Tom woods drive shafts: 4xshaft.com/ Milestar Tires - www.milestartires.com/ Affordable sun shade - amzn.to/2wWQQyq Rear LED tail lights - amzn.to/2wa7evn Synthetic winch line - amzn.to/3cU01QR Aluminum winch plate - amzn.to/38SLWQq Rubicon DECALS - amzn.to/2xG5lqT RGB rock lights - amzn.to/3b0BoAd Scrubblade wipers - amzn.to/2WcmnHi Red roll cage fire extinguisher holder - amzn.to/2w8ZKsv Auto fire extinguisher - amzn.to/2vjcBIe Cowl Guards Jeep TJ - amzn.to/38SY8QY 4wd Kings light bar - amzn.to/2wTOEYy Stubby antenna - amzn.to/2vq9m1S

[@GSTroop348]

Love the hats that you had on the hood at the start. Gregg you look very irritated several times doing this job. But I’m glad you got the job done, glad it stopped leaking. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for that! It was definitely one of the more frustrating jobs just because of the access/oil dripping everywhere! Thank you for the support!

[@danbemman2271]

You're so blessed to have a wife who helps and supports you.

[@Garagecouple]

We are really lucky! We support each other through life! Aleen has a PhD and Greg is an MD.

[@vgullotta]

Wow nice, that's a bad ass repair, good job!

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for the support as always Vinny!

[@geoffersongeofferies477]

Gloves? Check. Safety glasses? Check. Flip flops? Check. Alright! Garage time! Nice video. Helluva job!

[@Garagecouple]

Haha! That's funny! Cheers!

[@thomasmartin7494]

Really enjoy your videos.I have a 2006 Jeep TJ. I also have been in the EMS field for 38 years and recently retired Great work guys! Keep them coming

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for your service! God bless

[@bennycato3774]

Love your videos! Keep up the great work!

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@jesseripley4562]

Proceeds to remove the exhaust, "well we're exhausted". Hahaha great pun, good video.

[@justinlugo7535]

Congrats y'all! Great success

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you!

[@davelamb3303]

Great Job, your hair was getting higher each update clip. I did not hear any F Bombs good job, cheers!

[@Garagecouple]

Lol! Good catch!

[@MaverickXeo]

Hahahah, I never noticed that, but it is like he was going Super Saiyan!

[@cl37323]

Great job , I’m going to tackle that one day. Mines not leaking real bad right now. Keep the videos coming.

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for the support and good luck!

[@ToddKirst]

Great Video!

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for the support!

[@abdubitar960]

The hardest part is inserting the dam seal back in without tearing it

[@Garagecouple]

Yes exactly! Such a pain!

[@bryco32]

Easiest way to to take a straw from like mcdonalds and cut it in half longways about 4" of so. The you out that in a 1/2" of so and use it as a shoe horn so to speak to protect the upper ring seal while you feed it in around the to pof the crank journel.. Makes it do easy..

[@redstang006]

jeep people are the only people that work on thier vehicles that have heavy metal parts working wearing sandles gotta love it.You guys make me glad i buy my jeeps new im too old for leaks and creaks.You two are so knowledgeable on repairs its refreshing but scarey on work protection...lol

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for the support!

[@davidmatthews2647]

I just did that on my 2006 unlimited Rubicon and we cut the down pipe and welded it back together, It was a pain. Good job!

[@Garagecouple]

Thats hilarious! I wish we had a welder! Its crazy, the 2001 has bolts for that downpipe that aren't tucked away in the skid plate..Literally a quick unbolt..Have no idea why they made the change!

[@davidmatthews2647]

@@Garagecouple Correct, This is my 23rd Jeep and the Tj is the worst for removing the oil pan. We are thinking about putting in a Joint so it will be easier next time.

[@Garagecouple]

Thats a great idea! And so many jeeps! Amazing!

[@uncleheide]

I’ve got a 2006, and I’ve been working on the rear main project a little bit at a time (maybe an hour/day). Should wrap up tomorrow. Agree with you the later models are a pain, but it worked out- found that my trans mount was shot too....

[@Garagecouple]

Nice! Thanks for the feedback

[@MattBrownbill]

Great video, can't wait to do mine....😭

[@Garagecouple]

God be with you! Lol

[@robinhd7032]

You guys ROCK!!!!!!

[@Garagecouple]

You're the best!

[@vrsix95]

Damn awesome job!

[@Garagecouple]

Cheers bud!

[@todhollandsworth4371]

The easiest way I have found to replaceing rear main seal in the jeep ive done a couple is soak or slick up that seal will dawn that goes into the block saves some time and headache always work for me once u get it started it'll go all the way in and dawn wont hurt nothing it'll burn off and will be fine

[@Garagecouple]

Thats a solid idea, will do this if i ever have to do the job again

[@JeepTJWheelin]

Yep, been there. Had to replace the rear seal, oil pan gasket and heater core so far. Next is the pcm, manifold and valve cover gaskets. These old TJ's require a lot of maintenance. Still, I wouldn't drive anything else.

[@Garagecouple]

Looks like you have some fun projects ahead of you! I feel ya! We have several other vehicles but prefer the TJ!

[@greendrill12]

I wouldn’t say ‘a lot of maintenance’. They are 14+ years old at this point they are obviously gonna have some things go bad.

[@Garagecouple]

Vs 14+ yr old other cars its on the more maintenance side..but they are all hit or miss too

[@JasterMereel421]

I followed your water pump video to replace my water pump. I recommend it to others now. In this video, you mentioned you had a valve cover gasket video. I searched, but I couldn't find it. Could you share it with me? I need to do the VCG within the next few weeks.

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for the kind words! Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp6tgoV3fMuCa80 Has the rms too

[@JasterMereel421]

@@Garagecouple thanks for the link, but it just links back to the real main seal video. Do you have a video for the valve cover gasket?

[@edp9517]

You guys rock!!!

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for the support!

[@nickgiard8553]

I have an 06 Rubicon and need to do it now also. How did it hold up long term? I hear they often leak again.

[@rivasmedia4158]

Nice good job

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you!

[@spencerwarren9219]

I just had a brand new jasper remanufactured 4.0 l with a 3 y 100k warranty installed in my 2003 rubicon TJ . At the 500 mile break in check rear seal was leaking and oil pan gasket. They put another rear seal in it and still leaking. I'll know more later today. To be continued.

[@Garagecouple]

Lol. If it's leaking it means it has oil! Motto we live by

[@cmsgtjasonh5794]

Great vid... your hair is on fleek!!

[@Garagecouple]

Fleeeky

[@laconitoisking]

Great videos...Where can I find that big LED work light that you showed early in this video...

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for the support! Here it is! amzn.to/35zQxXD

[@laconitoisking]

@@Garagecouple thanks...I just ordered it

[@Garagecouple]

Nice! Let us know what you think!

[@MaverickXeo]

That does look like a pain, haha. I think the exhaust change happened around 2000 - my dad had a 99 4.0L that was as you described, but mine (2002) has the same exhaust as yours. Thankfully, mine is not leaking yet, but I have a 94 grand cherokee with a 5.2L that is leaking... I'll just keep adding oil to that one! Also, on the topic of tough jobs, I just changed my dad's starter in his 06 commander 4.7L... that was a two day job involving dropping the front driveshaft and fighting to get about 6 ratchet extensions and universals to reach the starter and the wire nut. I wished I was changing a 4.0L starter!

[@Garagecouple]

We have an 01 that is the old style of downpipe, so maybe after 01? Wow, that sounds so painful! It looks like we can't win it all! THanks for the comment and happy jeeping!

[@stevenarseneault1972]

A possible issue is the oil filter leaking at the seal and the oil follows the engine all the way behind the engine block at the oil pan which makes it look like a rear seal leak. When some people change the rear seal they also change the oil filter and may remedy the problem not realising that they did not need to fix the seal but hey, the oil leak is gone! ..... in reality the O-ring for the oil filter would need to be looked at. People who lube their O-ring on the oil filter before placing it on may actually fix the issue. If the O-ring needs replaced then doing so would remedy the issue.

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks for that! Yeah, its a brand new filter, brand new valve cover gasket too!

[@haywoodjablowme1245]

Always always always offset the seal a little. Never let it set flat with the cap. It WILL leak again. Just a tip! I have an 02 tj an just had to do the same job.

[@Garagecouple]

We will see what happens! Thanks for the tip!

[@mazenkano1811]

I did my RMS twice on my 03 TJ and still leaks. How is your RMS holding?

[@ColinAverill]

About 10 years ago I replaced the rear main seal on my '89 XJ. one of the worst jobs I've ever done. However, since then I had an opportunity to work as a mechanic for a used car dealership, and would be very curious to see how the same job went having had the experience I have now.

[@Garagecouple]

It would be cake for you now!

[@ppap351]

As difficult and time consuming as it was for you, imagine what it would have been like if you lived in the rust belt?!? Every external bolt head would have fought you - especially the exhaust. You did a great job.

[@Garagecouple]

Thanks so much for tbe comment! Appreciate you!

[@stevesim5516]

I need to do mine....issue is I know that every single bolt I touch is gonna strip..hahaha. Great job btw!!

[@Garagecouple]

You can do it!

[@nickrichardson1707]

I may be trying this repair on my 2002 4.0 in a week or so. Wish me luck. Did you find it challenging to get the old upper seal removed or getting the new seal in? I’ve heard of some using a little soap to help slide it in, but if you do that, you might as well use oil.

[@Garagecouple]

You can do it! Just take your time and don't rush. And get 2 seals in case you Rip one!

[@jamesandrews7441]

Awesome job guys. Rear main seal are a b****. Mine's leaking a couple drips here and there. Nothing too major yet. When it gets worse I'm thinking I'll have my mechanic do that job. Oh yeah also I see you took the 38's off the TJ. Did they make it to the JK?

[@Garagecouple]

Thank you for the comment! Yeah it was a total pain! We actually filmed this before we put the 38s on. We are hoping to do that swap pretty soon! All the best!

[@jesusmendez1205]

Have you guys ever thought about a hood louver or is that something your not interested in installing.

[@harrisonjudd1231]

I have a 2004 tj and the previous owner welded the skid plate on the frame so It makes it very hard to change my exhaust

[@Garagecouple]

Wow! That is awful!

[@cmsgtjasonh5794]

Harrison Judd Jeep TJ uuugh that sucks.....why is the world would anyone do that

[@jorgezuni2818]

I’ve done similar .. I use Gasket maker from the outside of oil pan . I didn’t even have to remove nothing 😅

[@Garagecouple]

Good stuff!

[@edp9517]

Aleen has amazing skin btw lol

[@Garagecouple]

Appreciate that -Aleen

[@jaywebguy]

Any update? Any issues with the stripped bolts?

[@Garagecouple]

Leaks about 1 drop every week or so. Very happy with the results

[@bxbomber24]

That $500 and 2 days might be worth it!

[@Garagecouple]

In hindsight, yes, totally! Lol

[@moparlover1968rr]

lol

[@greendrill12]

How bad was it leaking?

[@Garagecouple]

Really Bad! 1 quart per 100 miles!

[@JoeHarveye]

Im still trying to figure out why my trans is leaking i drove less than a 0.25 mile and it emptied the trans fluid through the whole tunnel coating the tunnel 360 degrees even above the transmission

[@Garagecouple]

Wow let us now if you figure it out!

[@JoeHarveye]

I recently used uv atf dye and discovered it seems to be the trans output shaft seal ( to the tcase)

[@jeep_freek1640]

You should have watched a couple more videos on how to do it lol You're doing it the hard way. and I speak from experience I build these things all the time It's literally my only other hobby besides helicopters.

[@Garagecouple]

Whats the easy way? Enlighten us!

[@davidkayda7004]

Josh- any videos you would recommend? I just bought a 2004 and it has a leak that I want to fix ASAP.

[@jimbrown9885]

$500 is sounding pretty good, especially if warrantied.

[@Garagecouple]

Yeah..LOL!

[@jonburke2038]

What are ratchet heads? Made me spit my beer!

[@Garagecouple]

BAHAHA

[@lipila79]

Ребята, спину берегите, не лежите на холодном полу.

[@williamburch1321]

ugh, I hate replacing seals. Fortunately my rear main seal has never been a problem

[@Garagecouple]

Thats amazing!

[@jamesmerkel9442]

I would hve just cut the exhaust pipe & used a splice connection. But I wouldn't hve tried to fix it either.

[@Garagecouple]

Nice

[@tho464]

So I tuned in to see how you get the oil pan out and all I see is “3 hours later”....😢

[@chrisrichardson5841]

hate oil leaks,they suck big time

[@Garagecouple]

Right there with you!1

[@tonymendoza8974]

I went through a 12 pack and still didn’t finish!! Lol

[@Garagecouple]

Literally laughed out loud

[@gtowncasey111]

Super tech oil... really?

[@Garagecouple]

There is no other oil I will ever use in our 4.0s. Over 260k miles on our green tj. Change it often and never worry about it. Also, read about supertech oil. Its amazing oil.

[@gtowncasey111]

Garage Couple all 260k is using super tech ?

[@Garagecouple]

Yes!

[@rjet43]

Sockets not ratchet heads, just saying lol

[@Garagecouple]

LOL! Gave us a good laugh! :)

[@adan30marquezam]

😂 It’s not a TJ if it doesn’t have a rear main seal leak

[@Garagecouple]

LOLOL!