2.0 coolant top off frequency

[mjf4241]

2024 Willys with 2.0L turbo with about 15,700 miles. Found this on the underside of the coolant inlet pipe. This is from underneath on the driver side. About a week or so ago I had to add some coolant to the black reservoir. The level was down near the minimum line. I've been checking it regularly since and level is right at the maximum line.

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[WI_Sarge]

So it’s going into dealer in 2 weeks. Not feeling to great about this brand new vehicle. Hypothetically asking, if it was somehow mixing into the oil and they ‘fix’ that leak, should i be concerned about any long term damage to the engine if it was operating for 2-3 thousand miles with mixed coolant/oil?

Have not had any overheating issues.

 

[Heimkehr]

Hypothetically asking, if it was somehow mixing into the oil and they ‘fix’ that leak, should i be concerned about any long term damage to the engine if it was operating for 2-3 thousand miles with mixed coolant/oil?

Non-hypothetically, yes. It's a matter of degrees, or percentage. If you're able to send a used oil sample, with or without confirmed coolant content, to an analysis service, do so and let them provide their take on the matter. Possibly they'll say you dodged a bullet. Otherwise, they'll let you know what your next step(s) might be.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

So it’s going into dealer in 2 weeks. Not feeling to great about this brand new vehicle. Hypothetically asking, if it was somehow mixing into the oil and they ‘fix’ that leak, should i be concerned about any long term damage to the engine if it was operating for 2-3 thousand miles with mixed coolant/oil?

Have not had any overheating issues.

You might not have a problem at all…just air in the system that is working its way out. I have 41,000 miles on my 2.0 and had this problem when new. However after several months of watching and adding a cup or so every month or so, the coolant levels eventually became steady and have mostly stayed full. I check it every few months…last time I topped it off was 18 months ago. I will note that I had a catastrophic coolant leak two years into ownership when my water pump bolts backed out…luckily I caught it before it overheated and was easily fixed by recall.

You have plenty of warranty and I would just keep careful track of your coolant additions and monitor the oil for milkiness, regardless of the outcome of the dealer visit. The dealership will look for leaks and pressure test for head gasket failure.

 

[WI_Sarge]

That would also be a great explanation for why I can’t find anything. Hope for that over the alternative!

 

[WI_Sarge]

Jeep finally went in. Checked for leaks and pressure tested the head gasket. All checked out fine. The air in the line explanation seems to make more sense. Ill still do an oil analyst at my 5K oil change.

 

[WI_Sarge]

Did finally get my oil analysis at 5k. No coolant (or gas) getting in. Copper and iron levels were high which they said is common on new engines and should settle. Any idea exactly what cst viscosity is a mark for? My level was 7.3 which was below the normal range (8.8-11.3)? 5W-30 pennz ultra platinum

 

[Pismo61]

Did finally get my oil analysis at 5k. No coolant (or gas) getting in. Copper and iron levels were high which they said is common on new engines and should settle. Any idea exactly what cst viscosity is a mark for? My level was 7.3 which was below the normal range (8.8-11.3)? 5W-30 pennz ultra platinum

The oil got thinner.

 

[azjl#3]

The oil got thinner.

so reduce milage between changes.

My 2013 BMW direct injection turbo had oil changes up to 7,500 miles. We changed it at 3-4,000 on mechanic recommendations. I sold it, stupid me, with 100,000 miles going strong. 29mpg at 100mph

 

[WI_Sarge]

The sampled oil was at 4000 miles. Did my first oil change at 1000. My plan was 5K intervals.

 

[PunksJL]

I'm going to be watching my 2025 JLURX coolant levels very closely. I just did an oil analysis on a sample from my last oil change and the analysis indicated high potassium which is an indicator of possible coolant contamination. There were no signs of water or glycol though which is good. After receiving the oil analysis data, I did top off the coolant tank with nearly 15 ounces of coolant to bring it up to the full level. The engine has a total 11,618 miles on it at sample time and the sample oil had 4,931 miles. Ugh!!

 

[PunksJL]

Did finally get my oil analysis at 5k. No coolant (or gas) getting in. Copper and iron levels were high which they said is common on new engines and should settle. Any idea exactly what cst viscosity is a mark for? My level was 7.3 which was below the normal range (8.8-11.3)? 5W-30 pennz ultra platinum

Did you have 0% fuel dilution? That's hard to believe on a direct injected 2.0T. Fuel dilution will reduce viscosity. In my first UOA sample taken at 6,687 miles (5,061 on the oil) the viscosity was at 8.3 cSt which is out of spec for 5W-30. The fuel dilution was 1.33%

My second sample at 11,618 miles (4,931 on the oil) the viscosity was in spec at 8.9 cSt for a 5W-30 and fuel dilution was at 0.45%

Note how fuel dilution improves as the piston rings seat properly during engine break in.

Motor Oil Basics: Oil Viscosity Grades - Select Synthetics - AMSOIL Authorized Dealer

 

[WI_Sarge]

Fuel dilution said less than 0.5 but didn’t give a specific. Flashpoint was at 390. About 4000 miles on the oil from this report. Im almost at 10k so will do another analysis which will be 5k on the oil.

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