So I preformed my first oil change and diff. fluid change on the JK this evening. I think it went off without a hitch. (It was my first time ever.) I followed WOL's write-ups and everything was pretty much the same except for one thing.
When I was filling the diff's back up ( both front and rear) they didnt take as much as said in the write up. I waited until it was a slow slow slow drip coming out of the drain hole, and started to top it off. The rear took just under two bottles( 1L bottles) and the front took just a little bit over one.
Is this because I didnt wait long enough until I filled them back up? Any other thoughts?
Also, I was looking around and I took a look at my engine coolant level, it was an inch below the Minimum line. Dont know how the dealership missed that one, so much for checking all my fluids. I am glad I have decided to do the fluid changes my self. What is everyone using for antifreeze/engine coolant? Are you sticking with the MOPAR stuff?
Any tips would be awesome, Thanks!

 

was the engine warned up before you checked the coolant level or was it cooled down? the coolant expands when hot so the line you see is for when the engine is at operating temps and not start up temps.

 

you're fine on the diff oil.



feels good, don't it? The doing-it-yourself, I mean.

 

alrighty, after my drive to work tomorrow I will check it and see what the level is at, I was wondering about that. Thanks

Damn straight it does man! Almost want to drain it all again tomorrow just to do it again. Amazingly cheaper too! Front diff. change at the dealership was $230 when I did it, and I go and pick up rear and front synthetic fluids for $50. Kind of feel like an idiot for not doing this earlier!!!!!!

 

and a for your first and I agree it does feel good. Hadn't changed my own oil in 25 years and had never done a differential change before this Jeep. Started doing oil changes again, did the differential got some other first behind me. Son is helping and learning, the Jeep life is good.

One tip always check to be sure the old oil filter gasket comes off with the old filter. I missed one once 25 years ago.

 

Some after market diff covers may hold more fluid for the axle, that could be one reason

 

Don't fill the reservoir up to the fill line when it's cold. In fact, even filling up to that when it's hot is problematic if you off-road. Moves likes these ...





... had me scratching my head for several days while at Moab trying to figure out why my Jeep had started leaking coolant. It was on day one of a three day, one hundred mile off-road trip on White Rim Trail. that I first noticed it Turned out it was just coolant oozing out the overflow tube from the extreme angles I'd had the Jeep the day before heading out on the trail. But the smell and fluid on the undercarriage did have me worried for a couple days that something was going wrong.

Also, Chrysler/Mopar anti-freeze is not the same as other manufacturer's anti-freeze. There are a couple other manufacturers of compatible product--just make certain whatever you select is suitable for Chrysler/Mopar vehicles. I believe there may now be a more universal product from Prestone (at least that's what my son told me just last week)--just double-check against the spec's in your owner's manual.