Few questions on what to use and what not to use in the KJ

Budke · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 10:44 am

Well, I'm thinking its time to change the front and rear diff fluid in the jeep. Don't know when the last time it was done. So first question. What is the best gear lube to use in the diffs? Best weight?

Second, I noticed my 5 month old radiator is starting to drip a little bit (oh boy), is it recommended to use any of that radiator stop leak stuff?? Or should I just refill it with coolant until I get a new rad?
Trying to get prepared to Jeep Beach and I want to make sure the KJ is running good before I head down there. I would hate to have something break on me on the way down there.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 10:48 am

Stay far away from the radiator stop-leak stuff. They can build up inside the radiator and actually clog the intended passageways. Best bet is to try to find the leak and see if you can repair it from the outside. Just keep a daily watch on your antifreeze level...

Diff Fluids - any quality brand works fine. Check your manual for recommended weight.

Budke · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 10:51 am

Alright, stay away from stop leak- check.
I'm taking my electric fan off to clean it, when I take it off I will see if I can't find the leak.

Also, on the connectors on top of the electric fan, ho do you get those off?
I've tried before but failed each time.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 11:19 am

Coolant leaks are usually pretty easy to find if you just check it while the engine is hot. The system is pressurized and it make it easy to see where the coolant is leaking/spraying out from.

Budke · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 1:42 pm

Ok, I got the fan off, now how do I take the blades off to clean the inside?

I visually inspected the radiator and saw no cracks or splits or anything.
I'm going to run the engine to see if its spraying leaking out of anywhere visible.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 10:20 am

you may not be into using Amsoil products but hey they do list all the oils, weights and capacities on their page.... check this out

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/ProductRecommendations.aspx?FromIndex=1&url2=2002+JEEP+LIBERTY+K

I am using the air filter but have not used the motor oil, I'm using Rotella T6 but maybe I will use Amsoil for other fluids that stay in longer.

durangotang · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 10:03 pm

Why are you taking the electric fan off? It should stay together unless you fill it with mud and it stops turning....

STINGN · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 12:52 am

i took my fan out to get my water pump out, while doing so i cleaned the fan with a hose...honestly Budke, if your getting that much mud in your engine i dont know what your doing to it...i usually goto the power wash station and hose down my engine if i touch any mud, i keep my paint job of mud on it for a few days, but the engine and cvs get a good hose down.

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

Budke, I have replaced both of my diff fluids with 75W140 full synthetic lube. This is best for heavy-duty operation and pulling for hours in deep sand is heavy-duty. You might want to check the rubber plug in the back diff before you get started. Mine was hard and cracked. The Jeep store has replacements for cheap and you don't want an old, cracked plug leaking water/mud into your rear diff.

Budke · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 7:57 am

STINGN wrote:

i took my fan out to get my water pump out, while doing so i cleaned the fan with a hose...honestly Budke, if your getting that much mud in your engine i dont know what your doing to it...i usually goto the power wash station and hose down my engine if i touch any mud, i keep my paint job of mud on it for a few days, but the engine and cvs get a good hose down.

Don't have mud in it. It just wasn't turning on when I turn the a/c on so I want to clean it out to see if that helps.

Budke · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 7:58 am

jimymc wrote:

Budke, I have replaced both of my diff fluids with 75W140 full synthetic lube. This is best for heavy-duty operation and pulling for hours in deep sand is heavy-duty. You might want to check the rubber plug in the back diff before you get started. Mine was hard and cracked. The Jeep store has replacements for cheap and you don't want an old, cracked plug leaking water/mud into your rear diff.

The plug is fine, I've taken out before to check out the fluid levels.
I will look or some 75w140 syn next time I'm at the autoparts store.

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

Budke wrote:

jimymc wrote:

Budke, I have replaced both of my diff fluids with 75W140 full synthetic lube. This is best for heavy-duty operation and pulling for hours in deep sand is heavy-duty. You might want to check the rubber plug in the back diff before you get started. Mine was hard and cracked. The Jeep store has replacements for cheap and you don't want an old, cracked plug leaking water/mud into your rear diff.

The plug is fine, I've taken out before to check out the fluid levels.
I will look or some 75w140 syn next time I'm at the autoparts store.

It will take about 1.5 quarts for each diff. Rather than remove the diff cover in the back to drain I used a small pump to clear out the old fluid and to pump new fluid in. Wal-Mart has the pumps in the boating area. I used an extra piece of clear plastic hose from Home Depot to get the reach I needed to get to the bottom of the diff. It slides right on to the pump. If you have the Trak-Lok rearend don't forget to get the four ounces of friction modifier from the Jeep store. You can use the pump to put this in as well.

Few questions on what to use and what not to use in the KJ

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