Oil leaking from everywhere-help!

[ctjeepman]

I have a leakiy 6 cyl in a 79 cherokee chief but the problem is there is oil over everything and I cannot tell it might be leaking from because of it. Any ideas on how to tell? ANy tricks for cleaning up the underside so I can tell? Anyone got a spare 6 cyl so I can just swap it back in? Thank you in advance

[78 Waggin' Ear]

Time to get some engine de greaser and a handful of quarters and go down to the car wash, in ur dirty nasty clothes w/safety glasses and a tarp to lay on and get busy with the degreaser. Take wd 40 to spray under the distibutor/spark plugs and of course, tools. I then paint the motor so i can see where things are leaking, sometimes it is just easier to keep pouring oil in that it is to take the motor apart to repair a leaking rear main seal like mine. It aint pretty but sometimes that is what it takes, now in my case the xfer case leaks gear oil right on top of the exhaust pipe um hum burnin' gear oil what a smell Urrrrr

[tgreese]

Usual offender is the valve cover - it will drip all over the engine.

[River Beast]

valve covers that leaks can make the biggest mess if neglected.. agreed

where is it most wet...

front (look for drips of the timing chain cover near the crank)

back...check ABOVE the exhaust on the backside just below the valve cover for moist oil

just to start you off

[timmirvin]

Suggestion for degreaser.... Take a pump sprayer like you use for yard stuff (cheap, like $10 at Walmart), go to pressure washer/air tool section and pick up a gallon of pressure washer engine/shop degreaser. Mix 1:2 with water. Spray everything down, let it set, then spray of with pressure. You can use other degreasers (oven cleaner, spray can engine degreaser) but they can peel paint and tend to be pretty expensive.

worx for me.....

[timmirvin]

Once you get it clean then it will be much easier to see where the leak it. Not to mention, much more user friendly when it comes to fixing the leak. Also, not all things leak when running. You may have to let it set after being ran.

RB is right, when it somes to valve covers, they can make the most mess. But are probably the easiest to fix. Just remember the torque specification are usually in inch pounds, not foot pounds.....

my redneck 2 cents....

[JeepBountyHunter]

After cleaning for awhile and letting dry, take it over to a dry spot on the ground, put cardboard underneath it, let it sit that way overnight, and look the next day to see which end of the motor is leaking at...
I'm certain my 88 has a rear main seal problem starting up...cuz there is oil on the tranny and xfer case and all over the floor pans..but I figure this way they won't rust :D

[gsmikie]

go to the parts store spend $6.00 for a gallon of super clean then let the games comince