Symptoms
Oil dripping from the joint between engine and transmission and a wet bottom of the bellhousing. Rule out the valve cover and oil-filter adapter gasket first, because oil runs downhill.
The fix, step by step
- Clean the area and confirm the source.
- The seal is reached from below, which means dropping the oil pan.
- OffroadXtreme notes that on a TJ this can mean lowering the front axle to get the pan out.
- With the pan off, replace the seal following the kit's instructions and the factory manual's torque specs, then refit the pan with a new gasket and refill the oil.
- Do the oil-filter adapter O-rings while you're under there.
Tools & part numbers
- Jack stands and floor jack (to lower the front axle if needed)
- torque wrench
- RTV per the factory manual
- drain pan
- factory service manual.
Where to buy the parts
Crankshaft rear main seal kit (5018594AA), 2000–06 4.0 L TJExtremeTerrain ↗Amazon ↗
TJ rear main sealsQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
TJ oil pan gasketsQuadratec ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.