Sudden oil cooler leak

[StatikBlue]

Hey Y'all could use some advice. I have a 2021 jeep wrangler willys with 82k, regular oil changes and maintenance at local jeep dealership. I notice some oil on the driveway apart from where I typically parked. Assumed it was from an older vehicle (I get significant traffic from nurses caring for my mother).

My father mentioned that he thought it was coming from my jeep. I sprayed off the piles of mud on my side of the driveway and the water beaded right up :/ looked underneath, botton of engine and tranny covered in oil.

I immediately took it into the dealership to make sure the oil plug was secure as they recently changed the oil. They told me the oil cooler need to be replaced (apparently cracked?) and that all the oil had leaked out; obviously not safe to drive. At the time of the oil change, they made no mention of an oil leak. They made it sound like this is a normal failure. I obviously left the jeep there as I am neither a mechanic, and am not about to risk destroying my jeep in attempt to transport it for a second opinion.

I later researched issues related to the oil cooler and its plastic construction (no comment as I am not a mechanical engineer). All posts I have read indicate the failure typically starts as a small leak, not a sudden engine emptying event. Some posts indicate that sudden failure/cracking can be from improper oil filter installation.

Give the sudden severity of leak and the recent oil change, does this sound like dealer service error? $1200 repair for something that could be a direct result of improper oil filter installation by the service department seems a bit much. And they are replacing it with another plastic OEM.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

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[Pape]

I would try to to use it as bargaining chip especially if they are the only one touching it. There is a reason why most users around this forum try to avoid dealer. I got one once who use the impact on my tire carrier and ended up breaking the stud...

 

[m3reno]

The problem seems to be over torquing of the cap. I don't think the cooler just cracks. When they reinstalled the plug into the oil pan why was that oil leak not brought to your attention?? I think you had a minor oil leak and on the last oil change they may have over torqued your cap creating the crack. The oil changes are not done by class A mechanics, it's usually given to B mechanics.

 

[58Willys]

If you can, check the torque required to remove oil filter housing cap. Have dealer pull the oil cooler/filter housing; and check for cracks at the oil filter neck. If it's cracked, it's on them.

 

[StatikBlue]

I would try to to use it as bargaining chip especially if they are the only one touching it. There is a reason why most users around this forum try to avoid dealer. I got one once who use the impact on my tire carrier and ended up breaking the stud...

Yeah that's unfortunate. I definitely need to find a good trustworthy shop.

 

[StatikBlue]

The problem seems to be over torquing of the cap. I don't think the cooler just cracks. When they reinstalled the plug into the oil pan why was that oil leak not brought to your attention?? I think you had a minor oil leak and on the last oil change they may have over torqued your cap creating the crack. The oil changes are not done by class A mechanics, it's usually given to B mechanics.

Excellent point. Will head back in the morning to discuss with the lead mechanic.

 

[StatikBlue]

If you can, check the torque required to remove oil filter housing cap. Have dealer pull the oil cooler/filter housing; and check for cracks at the oil filter neck. If it's cracked, it's on them.

Perfect! Appreciate the insight!!

 

[Pape]

Yeah that's unfortunate. I definitely need to find a good trustworthy shop.

As you mentioned the part is know to be problematic, but it is not on the wears item list. If it is cracks to a point to be dangerous it can be argue it was gross negligence from the dealer, after all they are really good at pointing physical damage towards improper care / usage, unfortunately this time they are the one in the hot seats.

 

[Spank]

I later researched issues related to the oil cooler and its plastic construction (no comment as I am not a mechanical engineer). All posts I have read indicate the failure typically starts as a small leak, not a sudden engine emptying event. Some posts indicate that sudden failure/cracking can be from improper oil filter installation.

Part of the problem is the garbage plastic, but it's also just a badly designed part with seals that eat shit. You can go aftermarket where the entire thing is made out of metal, but it doesn't really solve the problem.

Supposedly, Mopar has redesigned the channels where the gaskets go to improve longevity. I replaced mine a couple years back and so far, so good, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Jeffy56]

Good luck! No doubt they will weasel out of it. Check other forums here, I think there is a factory upgraded part.

 

[Old Dogger]

There are two issues with the oil cooler filter housing causing oil leaks. One is the mounting gasket seals leak, which is caused by the lack of quality gasket seals, along with engineering flaw. The mounting area gasket seals leak area, has been re-designed. The other cause is the oil filter is over tightened, which causes the housing to flex, and crack.

 

[Maverick909]

Good luck! No doubt they will weasel out of it. Check other forums here, I think there is a factory upgraded part.

Correct the new rendition gave more room for better seals and sealing surface. From what I have read by the ones that have installed them on there own dime

 

[Air Uncle P]

Anyone have insight on the cost to replace the oil cooler filter housing with the aluminum one at a 4x4 shop?

 

[Rick4570]

Over torquing is not really the issue if it the seals are leaking, and that is 90% of the time the issue. I know people who literally screw the filter housing on until it is just barely touching (plastic to plastic). So virtually no torque at all. And around 80,000 miles the seals leak. Terrible design.

 

[Bayrat]

Over torquing is not really the issue if it the seals are leaking, and that is 90% of the time the issue. I know people who literally screw the filter housing on until it is just barely touching (plastic to plastic). So virtually no torque at all. And around 80,000 miles the seals leak. Terrible design.

I had one of the early ones that self destructed on its own. What Rick states above is correct also, I barely tighten mine.

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