Recently became the owner of my first jeep, a 2003 KJ. I love the jeep but it does have a small oil leak that drips off the structural cover. Reading previous threads, I understand the leak could originate from a few places including the rear seal. I'm certainly no mechanic but not completely useless either. What I want to know is would it help to remove the structural cover to have a better view up there and possibly see where the leak is coming from and would that be a fairly idiot proof job? Thanks.
oil leak
- Thread starter eastender
- Start date
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renegade 04
Full Access Member
It could be your valve covers leaking, I had to replace the gasket on both of mine.
nullptr
Full Access Member
What do you mean by 'structural cover'?
Like Renegade said, the valve covers are a pretty common leak point.
Like Renegade said, the valve covers are a pretty common leak point.
nullptr
Full Access Member
Ah, yep, inspection plate. 
Best bet is to clean the engine, it'll be a lot easier to find the leak once you get all the grime and gunk of a decade+ off it.
Best bet is to clean the engine, it'll be a lot easier to find the leak once you get all the grime and gunk of a decade+ off it.
Last edited:
libertybob
Full Access Member
TwoBobsKJ
Full Access Member
The rear seals on these engines don't typically go bad - but the front seals do.
The way the oil pan is designed, oil leaking from the front seal will drip down to the front 'lip' of the oil pan, run along the sides to the back just above the structural cover and drip from there.
The valve covers also tend to seep at the rear corners and drip down to the bottom rear of the engine. They don't leak a lot of oil (just a consistent weep) and the drips usually end up on the catalytic converters and turn to puffs of smoke :mexsmoke:
Bob
The way the oil pan is designed, oil leaking from the front seal will drip down to the front 'lip' of the oil pan, run along the sides to the back just above the structural cover and drip from there.
The valve covers also tend to seep at the rear corners and drip down to the bottom rear of the engine. They don't leak a lot of oil (just a consistent weep) and the drips usually end up on the catalytic converters and turn to puffs of smoke :mexsmoke:
Bob
libertybob
Full Access Member
Valve Cover Gaskets
I would replace the valve cover gaskets. This is a very common leak point and not too expensive. I replaced the VC gaskets on my '03 with Felpro brand for under US$50 (doing work myself). If not now, the valve cover gaskets will need replacement eventually.
I would replace the valve cover gaskets. This is a very common leak point and not too expensive. I replaced the VC gaskets on my '03 with Felpro brand for under US$50 (doing work myself). If not now, the valve cover gaskets will need replacement eventually.
Thanks everyone, Just found some maintenance records and the valve cover gaskets were changed at the dealership in Feb 2012. For me looking at that engine from above, it looks like a confusion of air filter housing, pipes and hoses making a difficult line of sight to the stuff where leaks might be coming from. From what I can see, all looks clean and I can't seem to collect oil on a paper towel from anywhere. It just drips from the bottom of that cover in the picture. Maybe if I put it on 4 axle stands , I'll be able to get a better look at it.
Easy to replace, not hard at all
Not any confusion from the ones I have seen ( and they are all pretty much the same)
I'd pull it and swap it out to make sure
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