The owner of this 2014 Jeep Cherokee reported an odor of hot oil and oil leaks on the driveway.
Our Jeep technician inspected the engine compartment and under the vehicle and found an engine valve cover oil leak, an engine oil pressure sensor oil leak, and a rear axle output seal oil leak.
We sent our customer a detailed digital inspection report with photos and a comprehensive oil leak repair estimate. The vehicle owner approved the repairs, and we got to work.
Diagnosis
Our Jeep technician performed under-hood and under-vehicle visual inspections and found three oil leak sources: the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals, a leaking oil pressure sensor, and the rear differential left output axle seal.
Oil leaks can usually be seen during inspections. If the source of the oil leak is difficult to find, a special leak detection dye can be added to different fluids, and a black light can be used to locate where the oil is coming from. With this vehicle, the sources of the various oil leaks were easily located and did not require a leak dye procedure.
Problem
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has the typical annoying oil leaks of any vehicle over ten years old. The leaking oil makes a mess wherever the vehicle is parked and can cause more serious problems.
Some oil leaks can create an annoying burnt oil smell that can be drawn into the passenger compartment air inlet, some oil leaks can become a fire hazard, and oil can damage electrical wiring, sensors, ignition coils, fuel injectors, drive belts, and coolant hoses. Valve cover gaskets and seals should be replaced when they begin to leak oil. When the spark plug valve cover tube seals leak, they contaminate the sparkplugs and cause misfires.
Transmission and differential oil leaks can cause severe, costly damage if the oil level gets too low. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 is known for rear differential output axle seal leaks.
Cause
In most cases, oil leaks result from vehicle age and use. Rubber seals harden with age and engine heat. Some exposed seals collect dust and grit that wear them out. Gaskets also harden with age, heat, chemicals, and contaminants in the oil. As the gaskets harden, they can no longer expand and contract to maintain an oil-tight seal. Also, some components use silicone sealants that deteriorate over time. Most oils contain seal-softening chemicals that eventually cause the seal to fail.
Repair
Our Jeep technician performed an engine degrease to clean and remove the leaked oil. In some cases, the oil will become baked onto the hot engine and exhaust. The degreasing will remove unburnt oil and the remainder will dry and carbonize with time. The burnt oil smell will decease with time.
The valve cover was removed, the cover and engine sealing surfaces were cleaned and prepared, and a new valve cover gasket, new spark plug seals, and new valve cover bolt seals were installed. Using high-quality aftermarket replacement valve cover gaskets and seals will reduce the chance of recurring oil leaks.
The oil pressure sensor unit was removed and replaced.
The differential was degreased to remove the leaked oil. The old differential fluid was drained, the left rear wheel, wheel bearing hub, and left drive axle were removed, the left differential output seal was removed and replaced, the removed components were reassembled, and new differential fluid was installed.
As a quality control check, the engine was run until it reached operating temperature and checked for oil leaks. Then the vehicle was test driven and the new axle seal checked for leaks.
The technician reported that the oil leak repair was completed and the vehicle ready for the customer to pick it up.
Cost
Oil leaks often require leak dye testing and oil leak cleaning before the oil leak repair is done. The number of leaks, extent of the oil leaks, and work required to repair the oil leak will greatly affect the cost of 2014 Jeep Cherokee oil leak repair.
Jeep Cherokee Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost
The national average cost for a Jeep Cherokee valve cover gasket replacement is between $260 and $300 including parts.
Jeep Cherokee Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement Cost
The national average cost for a Jeep Cherokee Oil pressure sensor replacement is between $220 and $235 including parts.
Jeep Cherokee left rear Drive Axle Shaft Seal replacement cost
The national average cost for a Jeep Cherokee left rear Drive Axle Shaft Seal replacement is between $405 and $500 including parts.
The price will vary depending on the location of the repair shop within the country, vehicle year, make, model, options, and the quality of the replacement parts chosen.
Diagnosis of the problem, related repairs required to complete the repair, shop supplies, environmental and disposal fees, and taxes are not included.
For a more accurate estimate based on your location and particular vehicle, you should contact a local auto repair shop that specializes in Jeep repair services.
Tips
Oil leaks need to be discovered, monitored, and repaired before the oil level drops to a point where it causes serious damage. Most oil leaks start small and progress slowly. Having your vehicle's oil change service done at a competent Jeep repair shop that has technicians with the training and Jeep experience to ensure oil leak problems are found and monitored until they truly need to be repaired.
Oil leaks are not always caused by failed gaskets and seals. Problems with PVC crankcase venting systems or engine mechanical problems can cause oil leaks. A correct oil leak diagnosis should always be done.
Jeep Repair Shop in Ann Arbor, MI
Contact Abbott Street Auto Service for Jeep service and repair in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. Our Jeep technicians have the skill and experience to diagnose and repair your Jeep Cherokee problems correctly. We are Jeep service specialists.
You can trust your Jeep service to Abbott Street Auto Service. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, Abbott Street Auto Service also serves the surrounding areas, including Pittsfield, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; Saline, MI; and Dexter, MI.