It can be done, but it is much easier with the TIPM and battery box out of the way.
That is actually the variable valve lift solenoid. It is a common leak point on these engines, but the leaks are relatively minor.This position sensor also was leaking on both my wrangler
I remove it cleaned the sensor and gasket put a small amount of black RTV silicone on the seal area and so fare no more leaks
Wait it's a solenoid not just a sensor?? If it's a common leak point, is it really worth the trouble to warranty it out if all that stuff has to be removed to fix it? Is it just going to leak again in another year or two?
It is a solenoid, and when I said leak point I probably overstated it. It would be more accurate to say that this is a common position for seepage to come from. It is rare for it to "leak" enough oil to drip, but many of these solenoids do have seepage around the seals.
In that case, I'd simply wash it off if it got to the point to annoy me (which means when I first noticed it)
Well, I can add one to the list of having a leak there and on other side too.When doing battery work last weekend I noticed a very thick buildup of sludge (probably just dirt adhered to oil seepage) around this area. Pretty sure this is the camshaft position sensor.
This is an old picture so no visible leak here - vehicle was relatively new here.
Anyone else ever report having leaking in this area? I'll try to get a better picture later today.
Oh no!! Man that really sucks...
Yeah, that's something I've been seriously thinking about. I can almost certainly have just a few spare parts and common took kit to at least limp my LJ, XJ, or MJ home. This subject has really been on my mind after the ESS battery died then burned out fuse, dashboard disco and dead on road vehicle. The concern I would have taking off on a 3000 mile trip with my LJ would be the tires on it. I got a call from a friend his brother possibly had a stroke and he needed someone to take care him for a few days. So off I went, about a hour into the drive I started smelling burning oil. A quick stop to find the leaks from the same points. My 90XJ in the past I wouldn't have any concern to have jumped in and took off across the country before a s###y shop screwed me over and the original engine up. It was getting to the point of pull into gas station fill up the oil and check the gas from rear main seal leak. I was going TDY and when I returned I was heading out on 12 hour drive. But got talked into replacing oil pump, the shops untrained monkeys screwed it up.
It's really a tough thing. I loved the Gladiator so much. So comfortable and capable. But for me, seeing the paint bubbling on my hood, after already a botched warranty fix on the transfer case, and seeing that the drivers side valve cover was a 8 hour job, and then the ticking concern....it just made it so that a 'new' vehicle to me was no longer worth the price I paid even with the extended warranty....at least the Gladiator anyway. That really suck about your ESS battery. I have to admit I haven't been on here as much as I planned since selling the JT, life has gotten busy with house repairs. But it has been frustrating seeing more recalls and more people dealign with problems. I think if I were to buy new again it would be either a JL, for better payload, or a 2500 rebel to have a camper and tow a small boat or kayak. Until then, the TJ and LJ are doing me very well, reliable, comfortable enough for my needs, and without all the issues that have been crashing newer vehicles. That sucks to hear about your other issues, especially on TDY man thats not the time to have problems. Here is a consideration. For the money I put into the Gladiator, I could have fully rebuilt 3 or 4 TJ/LJ's. Now I'm slowly building them instead. It would probably have been a wiser choice to build both smaller jeeps for less than the cost the JT was. Especially considering the issues I experienced anyway. Maybe worth considering. But, the JT is a pretty awesome Jeep despite the issues. Its truly a tough choice.
Yes I definitely could have restored my Comanche and a few Wranglers for less. Or bought the 05LJ that I seen for sale in a divorce situation with stupid low miles garage kept loaded hardtop color matching everything. It was someone's planned retirement fund. Only modified was a body lift, tires and rims. I had chance to get 4 or 6 different 04-06 Unlimited Wranglers but not in my planning or a good time of budget.
