# About to purchase this 1998 Jeep Laredo **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jeep, leaks\ **Created:** [January 15, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903 "2022-01-15T16:06:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nikola\_179101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@Nikola\_179101](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nikola_179101)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/1 "2022-01-15T16:06:00Z")
I’m heading over to purchase this 1998 Jeep Laredo and one of the photos online showed this leak on the underside. Any idea what it might be? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/c/7c559477444a104f3ad25e76cde56f3ae0d35d2f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/2 "2022-01-15T16:08:52Z")
Looks like the transfer case is leaking. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/3 "2022-01-15T16:11:05Z")
Appears to be coming from the transfer case, although it could be leaking farther toward the front and blowing back. I would guess one of the output shaft seals on the transfer case is leaking, but you’d need to inspect a little further in order to know for certain. Looks like a pretty decent sized leak. I’d be concerned with that. They could have ruined the transfer case driving around on low fluid. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/4 "2022-01-15T16:13:58Z")
Wow, the underside looks like brand new for a 20 year old vehicle. Where is this? Yeah, the transfer case looks alittle leaky but that spot on the floor is not under the T-case. That might be a little moisture from the exhause from a cold start and nothing to worry about. If it feels oily, it is likely T-case, wet is likely exhaust. ---
**Author:** ![Nikola\_179101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@Nikola\_179101](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nikola_179101)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/5 "2022-01-15T16:20:12Z")
Yea the car has 89,000 miles on it but it’s in great condition otherwise ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/6 "2022-01-15T16:22:21Z")
the wet on the floor is probably from the exhaust. but there is oil residue on the transfer case. it could be leaking or from an old leak and never cleaned off. something to check out. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/7 "2022-01-15T16:29:02Z")
If the oil is only on the back side of the transfer case, it’s probably the output shaft seal. Would not be a huge repair if it is only that seal. Would be nice to be able to check the fluid level, though. Changing the seal (if it is the output shaft seal and you decide to buy it) isn’t very involved. Remove driveshaft, pry out old seal, install new seal, reinstall driveshaft. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/8 "2022-01-15T16:33:40Z")
That spot on the ground does look a little more “splattery” than an old oil stain would appear. May be water like others said, now that I look at it closer. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/9 "2022-01-15T18:19:39Z")
All I’m going to say is based on Jeeps reliability reputation is, good luck. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/10 "2022-01-15T19:14:29Z")
+1 But, if the OP does decide to proceed with the purchase, I strongly suggest that he do a test drive at highway speed, just to be sure that this old Jeep doesn’t display what is known as _Jeep Death Wobble_. While it is most common on Wranglers, any Jeep model can have this problem when front end components are badly worn. > **[Jeep Death Wobble: Explanations & Fixes](https://www.extremeterrain.com/wrangler-jeep-death-wobble.html)** > > Wrangler death wobble is both fixable and preventable. After reading our guide, check out our Jeep death wobble video to see how we solved this Jeep issue. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/11 "2022-01-15T19:27:19Z")
I wonder why no one mentioned the most obvious suggestion as in having a independent mechanic do a pre purchase inspection. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/12 "2022-01-15T19:28:24Z")
Yep, PPI, preferably by a Jeep mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/13 "2022-01-15T19:29:26Z")
The '98 Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have independent front suspensions so I’m pretty sure they are not prone to death wobble. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/14 "2022-01-16T04:11:49Z")
Pretty sure the first gen Cherokee never had a independent suspension on 4WD models. They had Dana 30’s IIRC. The 1998 Grand Cherokee would have the same one. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 4:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/15 "2022-01-16T04:24:57Z")
I would ask them to fix the leak before I buy it. Looked at one that had try to seal the leak with bondo. Do not want to step into trouble on a used car myself. Independent inspection, may need brakes, tires, trans fluid change, coolant flush etc. Know what you are stepping into. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/16 "2022-01-16T15:02:47Z")
If there is a big leak in t-case, it might be empty. Or close to empty. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/about-to-purchase-this-1998-jeep-laredo/181903/17 "2022-01-16T17:27:58Z")
Oops. You are right. I was thinking of a newer generation.