2000 Cherokee Rear Main Seal

[MortalBard]

Fellow Jeep fans, I'm contemplating buying a 2000 Cherokee Limited. When I had it inspected at a Jeep service center, the only major problem they found was a leak in the rear main seal. I'm not concerned about the cost of the repair ($550, they said) because I'll be buying a Jeep extended warranty and the repair will be covered.

What I want to know is if this is a common Cherokee problem. After being fixed properly, is it likely to leak again? Is a leaking rear main seal indicative of other problems that might plague this car down the road?

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

[addihs214]

What engine is in it? I am not too sure about the 4 cylinder, but I know first hand that the 4.0L is almost indestructable. My Cherokee has 179,000 miles with no problems. I mean none what so ever. I drive all over New York and CT with it and it still runs like it was brand new. So I would say not to worry.

Hope this helps some
Dan

[EquityDog]

The 4.0 L 6 cylinder engine in my 1992 Cherokee Limited (120,000 miles) has been very reliable. I did need the rear main seal replaced at about 90,000 miles because it was leaving oil spots on my driveway. I paid $800 to a Larry, Moe and Curly shop on a $450 estimate because they also had to replace the oil pan, which I believe they bent. A rip off but not worth a litigation. My local Jeep dealer quoted $750 for the job.

Only other repairs to the engine were a new water pump at 80,000 miles (leaked) and a new serpentine (fan) belt at 115,000 miles put on just as a precaution when the radiator was replaced.

[sharky88]

only a rear main seal? i just bought an 88 pioneer 2wd 2 dr auto loaded power everything but seats, alpine cd for 1600.(197000 miles) it drives great nice tight suspension/steering clean well kept engine. i knew the seat release cables were shot drivers seat cracking but not bad and a corner bumper end pushed in. a week later today i get back from a indep jeep shop to get the jeep after having new motor mounts installed(430.) that the exhaust manifold has small crack, rear main seal is going(est 550.), and the FIBERGLASS rear hatch has a nasty crack growing up at the hinge near the glass on the inside and out.( no estimate on that yet)
oh yeah the cracked manifold(est 800. plus a new 02 sensor) is allowing in air which has fried the 02 sensor. it passed ca smog yesterday but the "NO" reading at low rpm was almost at the fail level. ithe rich mixture will piss up the cat. and gives me terrible mileage .the mechanic said the car is perfectly drivable and it does drive great but the cracked hatch rattles some/continues cracking as you drive.

the mechanic est the value of the car before diagnosing the manifold and rear seal at under 2500. then after, he said as a mechanic he would pay no more than 1200. but after seeing the craked hatch said to him it was essentially a no buy but to a privaye party buyer 600.tops. so whatever you do have the jeep rechecked. maint plan or not you have to know what is wrong with the jeep.
wife wants to keep it seeing the repairs as "balloon payments" as opposed to the lease buy out(on payments) on her 99 montana(32000miles) we just turned in. the thing was rusting underneath and it only saw a short winter outside chicago. in short be damn careful and then some more!