For starters i have a 2011 JKU sport, 60,000 miles.

So for a while now I thought I was burning excess oil for some reason. I am changing my tranny fluid today and I notice a tiny droplet of oil come down by the front axle. I look up and see it's all wet on the trackbar some of the axle and another drop is forming on the hoses pictured below. (The ones that have rubber that go into the solid metal lines)

From above, there appears to be nowhere else it can be leaking from. I have no idea what those hoses do or go to, I guess they apparently carry oil.

I am not 100% certain yet it is leaking, I wiped them down and will check for buildup later.

What's the move here if they are leaking? Is that an easy self fix?

 

I didn't think that the '11s had a transmission cooler, but I'm thinking that's what those lines are. Is it possible that someone added one aftermarket (or is it possible that I'm wrong about the '11s--a very distinct possibility)? That's certainly not where my AC lines run. What color is the dripping fluid?

 

Looking at the image more closely it appears to say "TRANSMISS" in the top image. I tried to Google that part number with no real luck.

 

It's all stock im the original owner.

I recently put in royal purple for my last oil change.

The droplet seemed to have a purple hue to it and smells like oil...

 

Those are transmission lines and they are known for weeping on those connections. I have seen it come up a lot lately. I cut my steel lines with a pipe cutter and installed compression fittings and AN lines, but that's because I avoid dealerships and have modified my jeep.

If you like your dealership, I'm sure they've fixed that sorta thing before and you may have a recall on that anyway.

 

Those transmission cooler lines look too clean to be leaking at the crimps.

 

That's what I don't understand. They're very clean and undamaged. Mind you I wiped them down prior to the photo.

But there's literally nothing but open space above them, so it can't be coming from anywhere else. I imagine it's a VERY slow leak

When I changed my oil, nowhere near 6 quarters or whatever it is came out. I know you always burn some, but it was probably 2-3 quarts that drained.

 

Sounds like your 3.8 is a burner. Check the oil frequently. If the oil level gets too low these 3.8s easily spin bearings.

 

That explains why the lines are so clean. Drive it and see if the leak comes back, specifically in the areas of the crimps.

And now you know you should be checking the engine oil dip stick every week or so. (True for all drivers; not just those with oil burners.)

 

Ok so good news is I'm not burning oil.

Bad news is, I am leaking oil at a substantial rate.

After wiping them clean yeaterday, it now looks like this




So what's the fix here? Do I need special equipment to replace a tranny cooler line? Is there a quick fix other than to just keep adding oil?

Sucks too I just spent $50 on royal purple.