Timing cover leak

[drcoleman11]

Pretty sure I have an oil leak from the timing cover ('05 KJ Sport, V6 Manual Transmission). Found an older post about the same topic and in the replies it was mentioned you can replace an individual seal without removing the entire cover. Unfortunately it doesn't go into any detail on the how and I'm wondering if anyone has gone this route vice removing the entire cover? Link to original post and excerpt below. Thanks!

timngcover gasket, waterpump, radiator

So im seeing that I have a bad timing cover gasket leak because its all over the front part of the engine not to mention the quart per 3k going and the bad fresh oil smell. I also noticed that my antifreeze level is going slowly so I believe that my radiator is shot but while im replacing all...

www.jeepkj.com

"The timing cover doesn't have a gasket, per se. Only RTV is used around the cover perimeter so if you have a bad oil leak it is most likely the front main seal. It can be replaced with the cover still on the engine - you can find the appropriate Miller tools on eBay and other places like that. You'll need Tool #'s 8511, 8512, and 8348 to take the old seal out and put the new one in."

"Just replace the front main seal to fix the oil leak and go from there. You'll save yourself a LOT of work."

 

[tommudd]

Are you sure it is timing cover ?
I had a guy that thought the same and was just the oil sending unit leaking and blowing oil over that area

 

[drcoleman11]

Are you sure it is timing cover ?
I had a guy that thought the same and was just the oil sending unit leaking and blowing oil over that

Not 100% certain yet where the leak is coming from. Tried to do a little cleaning last night but still have a fair amount of gunk to get rid of to really isolate the source. Planning on doing some better cleaning this weekend and then should have a better idea...will post pics after next round of cleaning.

 

[drcoleman11]

Not 100% certain yet where the leak is coming from. Tried to do a little cleaning last night but still have a fair amount of gunk to get rid of to really isolate the source. Planning on doing some better cleaning this weekend and then should have a better idea...will post pics after next round of cleaning.

So, I gave it all a good cleaning and decided to make sure things were nice and tight. Both the oil filter and the high pressure power steering line were a little bit loose. I’m assuming those where the causes of the leaks because since then not a single drop, totally dry! The dealer quoted $2k to replace the power steering pump and the timing cover seals (which they thought where the sources of the leaks). Thanks tommudd for the advice! A can of degreaser is much better than $2k with of unneeded repairs!

 

[JeepJeepster]

Good gosh, $2,000 to pop the timing cover off? That should be illegal.

 

[tommudd]

Good gosh, $2,000 to pop the timing cover off? That should be illegal.

Totally agree

 

[tommudd]

So, I gave it all a good cleaning and decided to make sure things were nice and tight. Both the oil filter and the high pressure power steering line were a little bit loose. I’m assuming those where the causes of the leaks because since then not a single drop, totally dry! The dealer quoted $2k to replace the power steering pump and the timing cover seals (which they thought where the sources of the leaks). Thanks tommudd for the advice! A can of degreaser is much better than $2k with of unneeded repairs!

Glad you got it taken care of

 

[drcoleman11]

Glad you got it taken care of

It was $2k for both the timing cover and to replace the power steering pump. Even still, waaaayyy too much! Thanks for the help and suggestions.