HELP - 258 Leaking after trip

Okay, my jeep cj-5 has over 160,000 miles on it. I have had it about two months. Driving it around town and short country trips it did fine.

Then I thought I would take it about 100 miles round trip. When I got back, I noticed there was oil everywhere under the engine. It was on the front differential, drive shaft, oil filter, distributor and the first three spark plugs and wires. The engine has had some minor leaking, but nothing like this.

I don't know where to start. Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Paul G. :?

 

Try valve cover gasket first and any breathers on it.

 

It's definitely engine oil?

The most common leaks are valve cover, rear main seal, and timing cover seal.

What year is your Jeep? The stamped steel valve covers used from 1971 through 1980 leak a little; usually that's just wet, not enough to have oil dripping. The late plastic cvoers leaked terribly - most Jeeps that had them have been upgraded to an aftermarket aluminum cover. There's a special "sponge-lam" Victor gasket that can make these seal, but the aluminum cover isn't much more expensive.

A rear main seal leak would not be surprising for that number of miles and year. These are two piece and can be replaced with the engine in the car.

A timing cover seal leak is less likely than the rear main seal leak.

If it were mine, I'd clean off all the oil at the car wash and drive it around town for a few miles. After a long trip with a big leak, the oil goes everywhere and the source is hard to locate.

hth

 

Might want to make sure the pcv system is not plugged up. My old 258 leaked a lot also.

Kevo

 

Paul, it is more difficult to diagnose a leak when everything is wet and seeping than on an otherwise dry and clean engine.

The best way to find an oil leak is to steam clean your engine or have it done professionally. This will make it easier for you to locate the leak.

Place a large piece of cardboard on the ground under the engine. Make marks on the cardboard to indicate its location in relation to the tires and the car's front and rear. Leave it in place overnight. Use rocks to hold it down if you park outside.

Check the cardboard in the morning to determine the amount of leakage and where it's dripping from.

 

Does it have a mechanical oil gauge? If so, make sure oil isn't leaking out from the copper tubing or fitting. It would end up dripping (or squirting) onto the starter, passenger side of engine.

 

Changed the Valve Cover

The valve cover gasket has been changed. There is no leak from the valve cover.
However, now it seems to be the oil pan now.

Yes, my Jeep has a mechanical oi presure gauge.

I think it is now the oil pan, because there is oil all over the lower part of the engine. Especially the front and passenger side.

I am gonna have to check it all..

Thanks for all the advice. Keep it coming. My wife says I can use all the hellp I can get....

Paul G.