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Have an oil leak/sludge and oil on inside of hood after road trip

3K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  DoubleOught 
#1 ·
97TJ 2.5L with 129k miles

Went on the highway yesterday for a good 2 hours each way on fairly steep highway at times that required a lot of constant shifting in order to climb (this is going up into the mountains in Utah). Never did this before but we got there.

When I was almost to our destination, we stopped to get gas and something to eat and I decided to pop the hood and look around as I've never driven the jeep this hard before. Right away I noticed a couple spots of what look to be oil spray on the hood; not a lot but it wasn't there before as well as oil coming out from around the oil fill plug. I also noticed that I had oil seeping out of the front of the valve cover (I'm guessing this is a failing valve cover gasket?)and had 'sludge' accumulating on the valve cover ledge on the drivers side (front of valve cover, drivers side where there is a bit of a lip there for some of the bolts).

Checked the oil and I was 1/2 quart low and since it was warm, I'm guessing it was probably a full quart. Put some 10w30 in it and drove on without any issues for the rest of the day and the way back.

I would assume that this was a valve gasket going bad, but I'm confused as to why I have the spots on the hood and why I had oil coming out of the oil fill plug at some point as well. Can this be the gasket and something else as well?

I checked the air filter/intake and there is no oil and I ran the Jeep in neutral for a while and put it up to 3200RPM with the oil fill cap off so I am guessing its not excessive blow by but what can this be?

I'd like this get this fixed so I'm not left worrying next time I'm on a highway trip.

Thanks

ETA - Also just did the duct tape test to where you put some duct tape over the oil fill hole and run the engine. Did it and put it to 3500RPM, tape didn't blow off or move.
 
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#2 ·
97TJ 2.5L with 129k miles Went on the highway yesterday for a good 2 hours each way on fairly steep highway at times that required a lot of constant shifting in order to climb (this is going up into the mountains in Utah). Never did this before but we got there. When I was almost to our destination, we stopped to get gas and something to eat and I decided to pop the hood and look around as I've never driven the jeep this hard before. Right away I noticed a couple spots of what look to be oil spray on the hood; not a lot but it wasn't there before as well as oil coming out from around the oil fill plug. I also noticed that I had oil seeping out of the front of the valve cover (I'm guessing this is a failing valve cover gasket?)and had 'sludge' accumulating on the valve cover ledge on the drivers side (front of valve cover, drivers side where there is a bit of a lip there for some of the bolts). Checked the oil and I was 1/2 quart low and since it was warm, I'm guessing it was probably a full quart. Put some 10w30 in it and drove on without any issues for the rest of the day and the way back. I would assume that this was a valve gasket going bad, but I'm confused as to why I have the spots on the hood and why I had oil coming out of the oil fill plug at some point as well. Can this be the gasket and something else as well? I checked the air filter/intake and there is no oil and I ran the Jeep in neutral for a while and put it up to 3200RPM with the oil fill cap off so I am guessing its not excessive blow by but what can this be? I'd like this get this fixed so I'm not left worrying next time I'm on a highway trip. Thanks ETA - Also just did the duct tape test to where you put some duct tape over the oil fill hole and run the engine. Did it and put it to 3500RPM, tape didn't blow off or move.
oil usually does not spray. How is your power steering fluid?
 
#4 ·
Pics tell a different story. You could replace the cap but that seems like a lot of pressure. You seem to have an aftermarket vent on the valve cover. Wonder if it is bad? You definitely have an aftermarket air intake. Usually the breather goes into the intake
 
#5 ·
Bought it with the vent on it; haven't messed with it at all. Dumb question but how would I know if its bad, or just put a new one on and see? Any suggestions on what to get (I didnt buy the one thats on there); I see K&N makes a breather but don't know what people reliably use.

Could that alone be causing this? What would cause oil to be on the front of the valve cover as well? Gasket plus too much pressure, or the pressure is practically overwhelming the gasket?
 
#6 ·
So besides the breather, any ideas? I checked the breather and there isn't a drop of oil on it, so I doubt its clogged and it doesn't seem to have any pressure forcing oil into it.

Could this be something as stupid as needing a new oil fill cap/making a better gasket for it? Or do I have other issues?
 
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