Today was oily....

reka12 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:48 pm

Well, having found the hiding spot of the manual and deciding that I will not trust that the 50K mile service was done, I went ahead and changed all the fluids and filters. Wow is this a messy and long job. The engine oil (Rotella 5W-40 syn and Mopar filter) went smooth. The transmission was a challenge both in how big of a mess it makes, no matter how careful you are, but that little filter seal was a bear to get out. I tried dental tools, picks and finally a BA Screwdriver.

The rear diff and transfer case were easy. I dropped the skid plate to start on the front diff and noticed a little seepage from what looks like the left side axle seal. I will fix that before wasting new fluid. The fuel filter was harder than I thought it was going to be but at least all that diesel (I unscrewed the water sensor from underneath) washed away all the transmission oil on my arms.

All in all, the engine oil looked dark but not gross. The transmission oil was clean and clear. A tiny amount of sludge or a thicker coating that you could wipe with a rag on the pan bottom. The rear diff oil looked a tad cloudy but not like it had water.

So whats left is the serpentine belt. How hard is that? Do you have to take the fan or fan shroud out?

I spent from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm on the car and subsequent clean up. Two bags of kitty litter, a lot of tool wiping and paper towels.. I went through all my shop towels, 1/2 can of brak kleen, tube of ATF RTV, oil filter, two transmission filters, some teflon tape, 1/2 bottle of shampoo to try and get the tranny oil/diesel fuel smell out of my hair and my arms are tired! But I know were my baseline is! By the way, other than changing engine oil, I have not done any of these maintenance tasks before...

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:36 am

So it is safe to say you have been "baptized" into the diesel world? :-)r

Sounds like a very productive day with your CRD, good work!

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:26 am

You have now "bonded" with your jeep :jester:

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:46 am

FYI on the serpentine belt if you have the right tool - long thin wrench for the tensioner - it takes about a minute or two to change - without that - lots of time & scraped knuckles

something like this
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396081_200396081?cm_ven=Aggregates&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Auto%20Repair%3ESpecialty%20Tools&cm_ite=9094032?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9094032

but a lot of companies make different versions.

jeepdan · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 9:16 am

What did your rear diff. fluid look like? Mine had shiny silver flake in it and the residual film on laying on bottom of case looked like silver paint! This was at 32,000miles when I purchased it. Since then I have been changing diff. fluid every spring at roughly 20,000 miles and still find flakes in film on bottom of case but not that bad.

reka12 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:24 am

The rear oil was just a tad cloudy. I did not see any shavings or what looked like metal. And thanks for the heads up on the belt tool. Can you get that belt on, around the fan and all with everything in place?

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:35 am

If you are near Harbor Frieght they have the same serpintine belt wrench for a dollar more.

A post from a few months ago disclosed that synthetic gear oil, unlile synthetic motor oil, has a shorter life then dino gear oil :shock:

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:46 am

I can't recall ever changing the differential fluid on either of my Jeeps... I guess it needs to be done. What is the proper fill amount? Just fill it until it runs out of the top hole?

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:34 pm

geordi wrote:

I can't recall ever changing the differential fluid on either of my Jeeps... I guess it needs to be done. What is the proper fill amount? Just fill it until it runs out of the top hole?

YES

Today was oily....

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