Rear main seal

ry1820 · 02-02-2009, 04:52 PM

I just had a leaky rear main seal changed on my 02 grand cherokee and I picked it up this morning to the tune of $540.00. They did an oil change as well.

However, it looks like it is still leaking a little - Looks like less than before...BUT the oil it is leaking is black, not new.

Is this residual oil? Or would it be coming out black even after an oil change?

Also, the guy at the repair shop said that there was no warranty on the rear main seal because they go all the time.

Any thoughts?

ADDED:
SO...I just took it for a ride and now the transmission is slipping at low speeds....
Im going to call tomorrow and talk to the repair shop but does anyone have any ideas on why the tranny would slip?

BLACKzj52 · 02-02-2009, 04:54 PM

take some pics.
if they put new oil in it should be a brownish-yellow-green color. not black. maybe its left over from the leak?
i say wipe it off. after a day of driving check it out and see if its leaking or not

allenjp · 02-02-2009, 05:14 PM

Sounds like classic residual. Is this one a lot different than the ZJ? I called the dealer and they quoted me like $600. To me it would be worth it to get a warranty with it. I guarantee the dealer would warrant it...but it's already done so...Just wipe it off or power wash it and drive for like a week. If it keeps dripping after that it may still be leaking. I would call them though and tell them that it's dripping so they don't think it just started leaking again after a week.

OH...you have the 4.0. IDK it could be a lot different then. But it still sounds like residual to me.

BLACKzj52 · 02-02-2009, 05:15 PM

how difficult is it to change the rear main seal on a 4.0? my friends xj is just dumpin oil out..

allenjp · 02-02-2009, 05:24 PM

IDK if it's a two piece or one piece seal. If it's one piece the tranny has to come out. Otherwise I think you can just drop the oil pan. Not sure how easy that is on an XJ. On the ZJ 5.2 you have to drop the front axle to get the oil pan off, not to mentioin disconnecting the exhaust pipes (rust, anyone?) It can be a pain.

BLACKzj52 · 02-02-2009, 05:26 PM

for the 5.2 i think u can just let the axle sag and be alright. the exhaust pipes are another story. thats why i thought it might be easier on a 4.0 cuz its only an exhaust pipE

ZJcrawler45 · 02-02-2009, 05:48 PM

yea, my rear main seal has leaked pretty badly ever since i've gotten my jeep. i think this summer i might take up the job. Now that i have everything suspension related fixed it's time to move on to the drivetrain!

**ajmorell** · 02-02-2009, 06:23 PM

The rear main seal on the 4.0 is a 2-piece seal, just need to drop the oil pan.

Ds4x4 · 02-02-2009, 06:28 PM

rear main on the 5.2 you have to drop the tranny 600 is a pretty close figure for what it would cost to replace it.. the seal itself is $40 give or take..

**ajmorell** · 02-02-2009, 06:43 PM

Holy cow! $40 for the seal for a 5.2!?!? I think I paid less than half that for a seal for my 4.0

Ds4x4 · 02-02-2009, 06:55 PM

i think thats what i was told anyways.

ry1820 · 02-02-2009, 07:12 PM

(I just added this part to the original post after I put it here...sorry for the duplication)

SO...I just took it for a ride and now the transmission is slipping at low speeds....
Im going to call tomorrow and talk to the repair shop but does anyone have any thoughts on why the tranny would slip???

ry1820 · 02-03-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenjp

Sounds like classic residual. Is this one a lot different than the ZJ? I called the dealer and they quoted me like $600. To me it would be worth it to get a warranty with it. I guarantee the dealer would warrant it...but it's already done so...Just wipe it off or power wash it and drive for like a week. If it keeps dripping after that it may still be leaking. I would call them though and tell them that it's dripping so they don't think it just started leaking again after a week.

OH...you have the 4.0. IDK it could be a lot different then. But it still sounds like residual to me.

Wiped it off and drove it last night and this morning....its fine, I guess it was residual.
Thanks!

allenjp · 02-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZJcrawler45

Now that i have everything suspension related fixed it's time to move on to the drivetrain!

ROFLMAO!!! this is classic!!! Just how jeepsters do everything...backwards!

**xJoshxx** · 02-03-2009, 11:45 AM

basicly Unless your seeing a Extreme Noticeable Drop in oil per day or Large puddles leave it be my 4.0L i know my rear main leaks bell houseing is always shiny but Never leaves a puddle i get mybe 1-2 drops every week Rear mains only leak when the motors off 2

just leave it be till it fully wears out lol bad advice but sometimes u can open a can of worms by fixing the little things