Do I have a blown head gasket?

[zyt]

Greetings.
I have a 2018 3.6 with 80,000 miles. For the past several month, I noticed slight white smoke from exhaust and a faint coolant smell during cold start which goes away in 30 seconds. There is no code. My oil report shows increasing potassium for the past 2 years. (6=>26=>107=>184). I've never had overheating issues, no alarming rate of coolant loss. I only need to top it off once or twice a year from min line to max line when cold.

I thought this is due to oil cooler leaks, so I setup an appointment to replace the cooler. Dealer took a look and told me I need a new radiator, new head gasket, and leave oil cooler alone. They send me a video looking down cylinder 3, is it definitely due to blown head gasket or possibly a leaking oil cooler? I don't really know what am I looking at.

I assume spark plugs and both sides of head gaskets should be replaced while at it. What about the oil cooler? (given its age, mileage and the old figure 8 design of the o ring)
For the radiator replacement job, should I add thermostat and water pump to save some labor? I am planning to keep this jeep forever.

Sponsored

 

[alphawolff]

blown head gasket and leaking radiator indeed

 

[mtn-hiker]

why is the timestamp on that video 2024? Are you certain they are being honest?

 

[alphawolff]

why is the timestamp on that video 2024? Are you certain they are being honest?

date resets on the bore scope when the battery dies

 

[zyt]

Thanks for confirming @alphawolff
Just for my knowledge, the oil cooler leak would contaminate oil, but won't leak coolant into cylinder, is that correct?
I am going to bite the bullet and get it fixed. What other add-ons should I include while at it?
(head gaskets for both side, spark plugs, oil cooler, water pump and thermostat with the new radiator?)
I've considered a 5.7 swap, but nothing is compatible with 6 speed manual.

Yea, the timestamp is off, but it is definitely my jeep with a wire running across on top.

 

[alphawolff]

Thanks for confirming @alphawolff
Just for my knowledge, the oil cooler leak would contaminate oil, but won't leak coolant into cylinder, is that correct?
I am going to bite the bullet and get it fixed. What other add-ons should I include while at it?
(head gaskets for both side, spark plugs, oil cooler, water pump and thermostat with the new radiator?)
I've considered a 5.7 swap, but nothing is compatible with 6 speed manual.

Yea, the timestamp is off, but it is definitely my jeep with a wire running across on top.

oil coolers just piss oil all over your transmission bellhousing.

replace both heads, both head gaskets, plugs. anything else sure why not

 

[JayJLU]

Going thru similar at this time on 3.6L 125K miles.. chose to go with Mopar Long block Reman as will be keeping the Wrangler. Looking at $7K; engine will have 3yr/100K P & L warranty coverage. When apart will also put in Mopar Clutch / Pressure kit.. Calculated that cost of heads w/machine shop clean up and Labor would be close enough to go Long Block route.

 

[alphawolff]

Going thru similar at this time on 3.6L 125K miles.. chose to go with Mopar Long block Reman as will be keeping the Wrangler. Looking at $7K; engine will have 3yr/100K P & L warranty coverage. When apart will also put in Mopar Clutch / Pressure kit.. Calculated that cost of heads w/machine shop clean up and Labor would be close enough to go Long Block route.

strongly suggest just doing the heads brother. the remans are of terrible quality. you'd be back at square one in 60k miles. just replace the heads, don't bother with the machine shop.

 

[zyt]

Just a quick update, dealer replaced head gasket on both sides, 6 spark plugs and the leaking radiator. Water pump and thermostat are on back order so they weren't replaced.
The tech advised not to touch the oil cooler since it is not leaking, so I didn't push for the replacement.
I am surprised that it only took them a day to finish this job once all parts are in. Everything named above plus a coolant flush cost me $5500 in MD before I use a $500 coupon.
From pictures below, do I have excessive carbon build up for 80k miles? Dealer didn't mention anything but it looks a bit dark to me. Maybe adding some Lucas fuel cleaner at the next fill up?

 

[WillysMeow]

@zyt a bottle of GOOD injector cleaner once per year is always good idea, IME I like BG Products 44K as it kept our old Camry engine running great over 200k miles and never needed walnut blasting of the valves, but I'm sure there are other good options.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Just a quick update, dealer replaced head gasket on both sides, 6 spark plugs and the leaking radiator. Water pump and thermostat are on back order so they weren't replaced.
The tech advised not to touch the oil cooler since it is not leaking, so I didn't push for the replacement.
I am surprised that it only took them a day to finish this job once all parts are in. Everything named above plus a coolant flush cost me $5500 in MD before I use a $500 coupon.
From pictures below, do I have excessive carbon build up for 80k miles? Dealer didn't mention anything but it looks a bit dark to me. Maybe adding some Lucas fuel cleaner at the next fill up?

Too bad they didn’t take pics after they prepped everything for install. I would’ve wanted to see the condition of the deck surfaces.

 

[HHGadget]

So.. they did the whole job in one day. Did they service the heads at least? They have that capability in house at your dealership?

 

[roaniecowpony]

On keeping injectors clean...I had a 99 GMC, which I sold to my friend about a 16 years ago with 220k on it, he brought it over Sunday with about 300k on it. It's never had a bottle of "injector cleaner" put in it. I always used Top Tier gasolines, which have detergents in it. It's a testament to the gasolines we have these days. Fuel Stations - TOP TIER™

 

[mwilk012]

why is the timestamp on that video 2024? Are you certain they are being honest?

The dates are never right on these things.

 

[mwilk012]

God damn they certainly did the bare minimum. I guess you get what you were promised and not a second more of their time.

Yea; the intake ports look pretty rough. Run some better fuel or some 44K for a while. Additives might be cheaper than better gas right now.

Sponsored