Rear Crankshaft Seal $

[landmapper]

I noticed an oil spot on the garage floor under my 2000 Cherokee last weekend. Upon inspection and looking through the service manual, I think my rear crankshaft seal is leaking. The rubber piece between the oil pan and the transmission is wet with oil. This is something that I don't feel comfortable trying to fix myself. Anyone know what this should cost to have fixed?

BTW, my warranty ran out 21 days ago

Thanks.

[XLT03]

You can always take it back to dealer and see if they will honor the warranty since you were away on vacation and just got back and found this leak. They may just fix it as a goodwill repair. Start will dealer and if they say no you can call regional factory rep and tell them how much you love their products and was planning to buy another Jeep for your family but now have have some reservations buying one because of your oil leak and all of your friends have Jeeps are looking to see how Jeep is going to handle this mere 21 day ago while you were on vacation. Good Luck and let us know what happened. BTW one last thing, did you check the valve cover gasket and check that the cover bolts are tight. Had to ask.

[landmapper]

I checked all around until I found where it starts showing oil. The only place I see any oil is on the rubber piece (my OEM parts CD calls it "Engine Oil Pan Support"). The oil runs down from that along the face of transmission, then to my floor. Everywhere else is dry.

I changed the oil a few weeks ago and went with Mobil 1. Do you think synthetic oil has anything to do with this? BTW, its only a couple of drops each time. I don't want to let it go too long though. I am going to call the dealer and see if they will help me out. This is my first problem with this vehicle.

[Blackjeep]

I'd doubt that synthetic is the problem. I've used Mobil 1 in several vehicles with no problems. As I understand it, it's the factory fill in cars made by Porsche, as well as the Viper and Corvette. That's pretty good company, I think!!

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by landmapper

I changed the oil a few weeks ago and went with Mobil 1. Do you think synthetic oil has anything to do with this? BTW, its only a couple of drops each time. I don't want to let it go too long though. I am going to call the dealer and see if they will help me out. This is my first problem with this vehicle.

Bingo!!
Synthetic oils are notorious for producing oil leaks, especially in engines with a few miles on then and engines that were not initially intended for synthetic oil. Its a bit of a hit or miss, some engines will leak, others examples of the same model of car will not.
You might get the leak to stop by changing back to normal oil at the next change.

If you get the dealer to honour the warranty, DO NOT say you put synthetic oil in it, or they may refuse to honour the claim.

(Just go to confession next Sunday, its cheaper.)

[landmapper]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Bingo!!
You might get the leak to stop by changing back to normal oil at the next change.

Really?? I understand that synthetic is "slicker" and more resistent to breakdown than regular petroleum based motor oils, but how will going back fix the leak? Is regular oil thicker than synthetic? I used 10W30 Mobil 1. Before the leak, I used 10W30 Pennzoil.

[fergmonster]

magic rat is right, the synthetic oil's are notorious for bringing out the smallest of leaks in an engine. Even if they are more resistant to breakdown. I guess you could say they are thinner......but its really not recommended by many mechanics to switch to synthetic after you have put many miles on the engine under conventional oil. the only one i would recommend changing to would be Amsoil. I have noticed that my jeep likes castrol GTx 10-40 better than anything else. good luck. Do let us know what the dealer says.......