2000 Cherokee oil leak

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0L motor. Been losing oil all winter and finally started to tear it down to fix. I have oil 0on the ground of course, as well as all over the back of the front parts, ie bumper, fog lights, radiator support, and suspension parts. I originally was thinking it was a timing case gasket issue, but am reconsidering due to the amount of oil in front of the fan. Question is, can oil go forward under normal circumstances? I have an auxillary tranny cooler in front of the condensor which I am beginning to suspect more and more. Any ideas or advice on tracing this leak?

Thanks,

Eric

 

Jeep 4.0's are bad to leak at the rear main but that's at the other end
The best place to start is by cleaning everything. Once it is all clean you can better determine where the oil is coming from.

 

I didn't get off easy at all, there is a lot of oil between the oil pan and tranny, I am hoping it is coming from the back of the valve cover(which is leaking), but not holding my breath. A rear main seal is in my future I feel. Problem is everything is apart since I thought I had the culprit, but things are not adding up. I am one step away from having the front cover off, pulling the balancer!

Thanks,

Eric