I thought about that and will check the final drive as well, I replaced
final drive fluid about 1 year ago...would final drive oil be obvious on
the trans dipstick?..any smell?...darker color?

Just trying to diagnose before dropping the whole thing...needs exhaust
work as well.

Thanks Mister.

On Mon, 5 Feb 2001 14:36:55 EST, Steven Denis <NotaJeep@AOL.COM> wrote:

>My guess is that you are "passing fluids" from the final drive into the
ATF
>(a common problem) The heavier gear lube creates havoc within the valve
>body/clutches in the transmission.
>I don't want to be a doomsayer but you might want to look about and
starting
>thinking "replacement"
>For those that DON'T know, the "rear end" or "final drive" (not something
you
>take in a hearse) is lubricated by it's own oil suplly that is almost
NEVER
>checked..
>I've also seen the tranny coolers "pin hole" and weep coolant into the
>ATF..oh ain't THAT sweet!
>One way that the final drive loses it's oil is that the vent on the top of
>the case gets buried in dirt and the pressure build up forces out the oil
>past the seals etc.
>I'm hoping I'm wrong, but it sounds like "dying transmission"
>
>steve...
>
>"Hey! nice Jeep, Mister!"
>"Look kid, it's NOTAJEEP"