Oil leak advice

Hi:

My Jeep AMC 360 has a severe rear main seal leak problem.

The mechanic also found leaks at the intake and timing cover and possibly the "R/S head" although I 'm not sure what that means.

He suggested removing the engine and resealing everything for which I am quoted $3,600 (which includes a new timing chain & engine mounts and for other reasons a radiator replacement).

He fears that bearing wear may make the crank too sloppy to allow a new rear main seal to do its job, which might necessitate an engine replacement, for which I am quoted $5,500 (also including radiator, timing chain, new engine mounts). This is for a Jasper engine.

Having heard worrisome things about Jasper, I am also considering the following rebuilders:

ATK Doughtie Promar S&S Powertrain Products Inc.

Comments and advice would be appreciated.

Frank

Reply to
Frank
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Reply to
RoyJ

Yup, I agree, your 'mechanic' wants a free vacation on your dime!

The top side leaks will run down the back of the engine because the engine tilts back. This causes a rear main seal leak 'imitation'.

I would fix the top leaks first, then see how the 'main' leak is.

How is the oil pressure? If your main bearings are worn enough to cause the new seal to fail, you will have almost no oil pressure when it warms up.

If you still have oil pressure when it warms up, then your mains are likely just fine.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > Hi:
Reply to
Mike Romain

Pressure is very low at warm idle (600 RPM), but quickly comes up to 40-50 PSI when underway.

He used dye to identify the leaks after washing the engine thoroughly, so I am a little more confident that the rear main is worsening..

I also thought the amount sounded high, but it also included a new timing chain and replacing the radiator because of a very slow leak.

Reply to
Frank

That sounds OK still for pressure, when the mains are worn, you won't get up much over 20 at speed from what I have seen.

Around here in Canada anyway, you can get a 'new' remamnned engine installed for that leak fix price. The last one I priced was a 'Chrysler built' 4.0 long block installed with a 5 year warranty for under $3000.00.... A few years back, but still....

That leak fix can be done in the driveway in an afternoon, make it two afternoons if you want to put in all new mounts. The engine does not have to come out, the oil pan can drop and the two piece rear seal can be then put in. The valve cover leaks take an hour or so to do and 24 hours to let the RTV set up. (I prefer a skim of RTV on cork on a super clean surface for Jeep engines)

Leaks at the intake and timing cover can be weeps of oil which are normal or can be stopped with a retorque. Unless you see a river of oil running?

Then there is the timing chain..... They just plain don't wear out. The engine will outlast them unless they are the plastic gears and you run them dry on oil. How many miles are on the engine? It could be getting old, but still....

Mike

Frank wrote:

Reply to
Mike Romain

My remanned 258 3 years ago was $1525.00, I replaced every part on engine with new, under 3 grand for the works.

Reply to
Greg

Here is the follow-up my my Grand Wagoneer oil leak problem.

The engine has 89k miles. The leaks were very bad: 8 quarts added in a 150 mile highway trip.

Different mechanic (who has been reliable in the past) consulted, and repaired the leaks as follows:

Rear main seal replaced: 8 hours Timing cover gasket replaced: 6.5 hours.

It all appears to be leak-free at the moment.

Many thanks to Mike, RoyJ and Greg for the comments and advice!

Reply to
Frank

That's a lot of oil. Glad you're OK now.

Earle

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Reply to
Earle Horton

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