Oil leak between the engine and transmission not only makes the vehicle lose oil and create a messy situation but can also cause serious damage to the engine and various performance issues. These issues can result in serious harm to the driver and the vehicle if kept unchecked.
Your Jeep Wrangler can run into various problems like increased engine noise, engine overheating, and engine failure because of oil leaks. Oil leaks can occur due to damaged seals, broken gaskets, physical damage to the tanks, clogged filters, and so on.
Oil leaks are a matter of great concern but you can easily fix them if you follow the proper guidelines and maintain all the safety procedures carefully. The troubleshooting procedures to find out the reasons behind the oil leak between the engine and transmission and how to resolve the issues are described below.
What Are the Symptoms of Oil Leaks Between the Engine and Transmission?
The first step of the troubleshooting process is carefully noticing and analyzing the symptoms that your Jeep Wrangler is showing which indicates the problem of an oil leak between the engine and the transmission.
Oil Pressure Light
The oil pressure light turning on frequently even after refilling the oil tank is a sign that there are leaks in the system which is causing the pressure to drop. Oil pressure light gets triggered due to low oil or no oil in the engine. This could also be an indication that you need to change the engine oil as well.
But the oil pressure light turning on repeatedly after refilling the engine oil or after changing the engine oil is a sign that there are leaks in the system that are reducing the oil level and need to be fixed.
Excessive Engine Noise and Engine Knocking
One of the most crucial roles that engine oil plays in the overall function of the car is providing sufficient lubrication to the critical components of the engine which reduces friction and collision and provides smooth function.
This means that the engine starts making unusual noises when there is insufficient engine oil due to leaks in the system. Engine making excessive unwanted noises and engine knocking are symptoms of leakage in the system.
Engine knocking and excessive noise coming from the engine despite refilling the engine oil is a clear sign that leaks have formed in the system and require immediate attention.
Oil Puddles Underneath the Car
Another sign that your Jeep Wrangler might be leaking oil is oil puddles forming on the driveway underneath the car. You can tell a lot by carefully noticing the color, smell, and texture of the oil puddles.
Notice the color of the oil puddle first. The leaked liquid is coolant if the color is orange or green. Transmission fluid is red so it is transmission fluid if the puddle has a red color. Otherwise, the leaked liquid is engine oil if it has a brown color.
Low Engine Oil Level
Checking the engine oil level is another good method of troubleshooting for leakage in the system. Regularly check the dipstick to see how quickly the engine oil level is going down. There is a chance of leaks in the system if the level drops off very fast and you have to refill too frequently.
Oil Accumulation Underneath the Car
Oftentimes, oil accumulates on the underside of the car instead of forming puddles underneath. This results in the surface on the underside of your transmission and the engine getting dirty with oil, dust, carbon, and dust accumulation. This is also a sign of leakage in the system that requires attention.
Blue Smoke and Bad Smell
Leaking oil and transmission fluid comes in contact with the hot surface of the engine and results in an unpleasant smell of burning oil. The leaks can also cause oil to get into the interior of the engine and result in blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
So blue smoke and distinguishable burning smell coming out of the car are clear signs that there are leaks in the system.
Why Do Engine Oil Leaks Between Engine and Transmission in Jeep Wrangler Occur?
The issue of engine oil leaking occurs mainly due to worn-out gaskets and seals. Gaskets are made out of plastic and rubber which is subject to degradation over time and usage. The second most frequent reason behind leakage is cracks in the system which can be a result of physical damage or accidents and regular wear and tear.
Damaged Oil Pan or Oil Pan Gasket
One of the most common reasons for oil leakage is a damaged oil pan and worn-out gasket on the oil pan. The oil pan plays a crucial role in the lubrication mechanism as it holds the oil and cycles it into the engine to reduce knocking and collision.
Symptoms of a damaged oil pan include warning lights, low oil levels, oil puddles forming under the car, and visible cracks in the oil pan. This requires immediate attention as loss of oil can result in engine failure.
Solution: Replace the worn-out gaskets with new ones to resolve this issue. Any cracks on the oil pan might be hard to fix on your own and you will have to consult a professional mechanic.
Damaged Oil Cooler
Another reason why your Jeep Wrangler might be leaking oil is a faulty oil cooler. The oil cooler is a fragile component and can get damaged due to corrosion, physical damage, clogged passage, poor maintenance, faulty installation, and regular wear and tear.
Common symptoms of a damaged oil cooler include car overheating, engine oil leakage, decreased engine performance, warning lights, strange noises, and black smoke.
Solution: The oil cooler is difficult to repair on your own and you should take your Jeep to a professional mechanic to repair or replace the oil cooler. A spare oil cooler will cost about $60-$200.
Engine Gasket Failure
A damaged engine gasket can also cause oil leakage on your Jeep Wrangler. Gaskets prevent oil from seeping out of the engine by keeping a tight seal but can get damaged due to corrosion, physical damage, and normal wear and tear.
Solution: Replace the old gasket with a new one to resolve this issue. A spare engine gasket will cost about $30-$60.
Faulty Oil Filters
Faulty oil filters can also cause oil leakage in the Jeep Wrangler. Oil filters can leak oil because of physical damage, improper installation, regular wear and tear, and so on. A faulty oil filter will cause performance issues like engine misfire and power loss.
Solution: Check and make sure that the oil filter is functioning properly and that the filters are sealed tightly. Replace the oil filter with a spare part if it gets badly damaged. A spare oil filter will cost about $10-$50.
Damaged Engine Seals
The issue of oil leakage can also be caused by engine seals getting damaged. There are multiple seals in the engine that keep the oil tightly sealed inside the engine and they can cause oil leakage when they wear out.
Solution: Consult a professional mechanic and take your Jeep Wrangler to a trusted mechanic if there are damaged seals in the engine.
Worn-out Valve Cover Gasket
Oil leaks can also result from worn-out valve cover gaskets. The gaskets prevent the oil from coming out of the engine and oil leaks out when they get damaged. The valve cover gasket could be a potential source for oil leakage if oil is dripping down from the front of the engine.
Solution: Replace the worn-out cover gasket with a new one to resolve this problem. A spare cover valve gasket will cost about $15-$40.
Crack in the Transmission System
Cracks in the transmission can also result in transmission oil leaking out of the system. Transmission fluid is red so if you find such liquid on the underside of your car then the transmission system is leaking. Other symptoms include performance issues, loss of power, difficulty controlling the vehicle, and so on.
Solution: Transmission system leakage is very difficult to repair on your own and you will have to consult a professional mechanic to fix this issue.
Is It Normal for a Jeep Wrangler to Leak Oil When Parked?
No, it is not normal for your Jeep Wrangler to leak oil when it is parked and it is a clear sign that there is a leakage in the system that requires immediate attention and repair.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix the Oil Leak in a Jeep Wrangler?
The cost to fix oil leakage in a Jeep Wrangler will depend on the faulty component and labor cost in your area. It might cost only $50-$100 if there is a broken gasket or seal that can easily be replaced but if there are cracks in the system that are causing the issue, it might cost a lot more to fix that.