Fluid leaks

[Gainer65]

I have a 65 cj5 and it leaks a little bit of fluid. Mainly transfer case and engine oil. It's nothing serious but enough to stain a friends new driveway. Is it worth the hassle of replacing the gaskets or do I just deal with it? Thanks

[LarrBeard]

Kind of a smart aleck answer, but how mad does it make your friend to have drips in the drive?

More seriously - leaks never get better. Old seals and gaskets dry out and shrink...

I know of folks who have two and three drip leaks that are annoying, but of no consequence to losing enough oil to be a problem. Their solution is to have a couple of pieces of cardboard to slip under the rear end, transfer case or oil pan when leaks could be a problem.

And - even changing seals may not be the answer - old jeeps like old men just tend to drip and dribble at times. But like old men, they're nice to have around.

Oh, by the way - did you get the lurching problem solved - what was it?

Good luck.

[gmwillys]

Much like older Harleys, when they stop leaking, it's time to add oil.

[LarrBeard]

Strangely enough, transmissions and differentials seem to like to run a bit low.

The "fill it until oil runs out the plug" approach makes sure its full, but it seems that you end up with more oil than the seals will contain when the gears start throwing it around.

Once a few spoons full of oil get thrown out on the road or drop on the driveway, leaks settle down to a drip here and there. Then, when you get ambitious and fill 'er up again, it will leak until it gets back down to the level it likes.

Just stick your pinky finger in once and a while to make sure that there is oil in there.

[lessonstar]

The most cost-effective and easiest place to start fixing oil leaks yourself is by using a stop leak additive such as No Leak. Once No Leak® is inside your vehicle, No Leak softens and conditions rubber seals to safely stop and prevent automotive leaks. It’s best used when engine oil leaks are first detected but is still effective on leaks that have been there awhile.

The next solution is to grab a torque wrench and check for loose bolts starting with the oil pan. Bolts can loosen over time. When the oil pan seems snug move to the timing belt cover then the valve covers. Just note that each car model requires you tighten bolts in a specific pattern and to a certain tolerance. Most auto parts stores can provide you with these specifications.