Jeep Wrangler JK transmission fluid leak?

longlivenintendo

longlivenintendo

JK Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 20, 2022
Messages
141
Location
new york
Hey everyone! First post! let me introduce my jeep. Shes a 2008 wrangler sahara. Been keeping her going and hope to do so for a little while longer.

Was wondering if people would be so kind to help out here. I have a leak coming from the seam where you can see some drips forming. Is this a transmission fluid leak? I just did some fixes on my jeep and I'm guessing this might be the next one I'll need to address. Any help will be appreciated!

messages_0.png


20221220_160542.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigAL07
I'm looking at a leak in the near exact same spot. Mine is looking like a failed upper oil pan seal.
Sounds much easier than the Rear Main seal. If you can, remove the dust shield and get it all cleaned up to verify which seal gave way.

Cheers
 
FishFam JKU said:
I'm looking at a leak in the near exact same spot. Mine is looking like a failed upper oil pan seal.
Sounds much easier than the Rear Main seal. If you can, remove the dust shield and get it all cleaned up to verify which seal gave way.

Cheers
Click to expand...
its like we're on the same wave length! I thought it was now the upper pan seal too! Im gonna wipe her down really good before driving tomorrow and see what happens and if the leak comes from there. She's definitely right now got a lot of oil around that area, so fingers crossed. Will post more pictures tomorrow
 
Easy way to find out is to check the fluid. Transmission fluid doesn't really look like oil.
But I'd bet on a rear main seal going bad.
 
Dirty Dog said:
Easy way to find out is to check the fluid. Transmission fluid doesn't really look like oil.
But I'd bet on a rear main seal going bad.
Click to expand...
FishFam JKU said:
I'm looking at a leak in the near exact same spot. Mine is looking like a failed upper oil pan seal.
Sounds much easier than the Rear Main seal. If you can, remove the dust shield and get it all cleaned up to verify which seal gave way.

Cheers
Click to expand...
This is my upper oil pan gasket area. When I just wiped the areas around it I could see it would re saturate. In other words I would wipe away the oil and it would just appear again. I will replace this first and see what happens. What do you think?

20221221_160927.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, BigAL07 and BLACKJKU
Can't see too much but it looks like your on track. Not wet spots above and a wet sealing surface = leak. I don't be believe there is a path for oil to get from the Rear Main seal that far forward, well unless its dumping several ounces of fluid a day and your driving in reverse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and BigAL07
FishFam JKU said:
Can't see too much but it looks like your on track. Not wet spots above and a wet sealing surface = leak. I don't be believe there is a path for oil to get from the Rear Main seal that far forward, well unless its dumping several ounces of fluid a day and your driving in reverse.
Click to expand...
awesome. Gonna get the parts and tools together and hopefully they'll arrive and I'll get after it next week after the holidays! Will post an update soon! Thank you for the support!
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp and BigAL07
FishFam JKU said:
Can't see too much but it looks like your on track. Not wet spots above and a wet sealing surface = leak. I don't be believe there is a path for oil to get from the Rear Main seal that far forward, well unless its dumping several ounces of fluid a day and your driving in reverse.
Click to expand...
I see alot of different options for the gasket. Some range in price from like 15 bucks to 50. Are the more expensive ones over doing it?
 
longlivenintendo said:
I see alot of different options for the gasket. Some range in price from like 15 bucks to 50. Are the more expensive ones over doing it?
Click to expand...
I know the general consensus is to stick with Mopar OEM parts, but yeah a bit pricey. With a simple gasket like an oil pan I wouldn’t have as much reservation using a third party gasket. I’ve had success with Fel-pro on much of my gaskets over the years on GM and Isuzu vehicles and that’s likely the one I’ll pick up.

Now something like the rear main seal I would go for OEM. Talking about a lot of effort relying on a seal, might want to pony up a few extra $$ in that case.

Just my $.02
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp, BLACKJKU and JeepJeezy
FishFam JKU said:
I know the general consensus is to stick with Mopar OEM parts, but yeah a bit pricey. With a simple gasket like an oil pan I wouldn’t have as much reservation using a third party gasket. I’ve had success with Fel-pro on much of my gaskets over the years on GM and Isuzu vehicles and that’s likely the one I’ll pick up.

Now something like the rear main seal I would go for OEM. Talking about a lot of effort relying on a seal, might want to pony up a few extra $$ in that case.

Just my $.02
Click to expand...
I got a fel pro gasket. Should be here next week!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Danarch and mrjp
I would think any quality gasket would work. The only issue I’ve ever ran into is sometimes the holes or shape was slightly different for some reason, but the gasket worked fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrjp
Top Bottom