Line of oil on top of engine

[ppfingsten]

While changing my oil the other day I noticed this weird little oil leak on top of the engine and can’t seem to find where it’s coming from. Has anyone had this issue?

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[mark203]

Your photos intrigued me enough that I went and looked under the hood of my 2018. I would investigate further down - it could be something that the belt is picking up and then flinging out when it goes around the alternator pulley. Do you see a similar oil line on the underside of your hood?

 

[DaltonGang]

Looks like something is definitely hitting the belt, and spun outward. Its on both sides of the belt. It looks more like grease, from the Alternator.

 

[ppfingsten]

Looks like something is definitely hitting the belt, and spun outward. Its on both sides of the belt. It looks more like grease, from the Alternator.

Can’t see anything lower down where it would be coming from. I agree that it looks more like grease. Maybe from the alternator pulley or something. I see the cam position sensor o ring is leaking but I think that is unrelated.

 

[DaltonGang]

Can’t see anything lower down where it would be coming from. I agree that it looks more like grease. Maybe from the alternator pulley or something. I see the cam position sensor o ring is leaking but I think that is unrelated.

This new photo shows the grease is leaking out the end of the Alternator pulley area. You can see the grease on the end of the pulley. I would ignore it, unless it starts making noise, or if you are close to your warranty expiring. If either, let the dealership look at it.

 

[Christopher S]

I have the same issue. 2019 Rubicon V6.
It is the sealed bearing in the alternator that is no longer sealed and the oil or grease is coming out of the end cap.
Mechanic said to do nothing until it fails.
Don't really like that advise but the extended warranty will not replace it unless the mechanic can justify it.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I have the same issue. 2019 Rubicon V6.
It is the sealed bearing in the alternator that is no longer sealed and the oil or grease is coming out of the end cap.
Mechanic said to do nothing until it fails.
Don't really like that advise but the extended warranty will not replace it unless the mechanic can justify it.

Yeah, what happened to "preventative maintenance"?

 

[roaniecowpony]

A little followup, I see that Mopar doesn't sell service parts for the alternator assembly. So, the entire alternator has to be replaced if sticking with Mopar parts and they are pricey for new alternators.

Sometimes, manufacturers/dealers start up rebuilt component programs for parts like this later in the life of the model. But no guarantees.

A quick look at the Autozone site shows Duralast remanufactured alternators for about $400.

 

[jjvincent]

The grease is coming out of the alternator clutch. So that part might be available separately. If it's like on a German car, it's a challenge to remove. If you just do a search on "alternator clutch" you get plenty of articles of what it does and how it works.

 

[DarkAardvark]

Which alternator do you guys have? The standard one or the tow package one?

I'm not familiar with this particular part. Is it possible to repack it and reseal it?

 

[roaniecowpony]

The grease is coming out of the alternator clutch. So that part might be available separately. If it's like on a German car, it's a challenge to remove. If you just do a search on "alternator clutch" you get plenty of articles of what it does and how it works.

On the Mopar parts sites, there are no separate parts shown. Just the entire alternator assembly.

I wasn't aware we had a clutch on there. But not much surprise.

I searched "does mopar use a clutch on alternators" and this interesting forum thread came up: Important alternator Info - YOU NEED TO KNOW | The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club Forums

 

[mwilk012]

You need an alternator. If under warranty, get it in quick.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Found this.



And this tool (see video also) OEMTOOLS Alternator Coupler Pulley Service Kit (autozone.com)

 

[roaniecowpony]

Found the decoupler pulley at NAPA
Alternator Decoupler Pulley NOE 6603411 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

This guy was a bit farmboy, but he seemed to get all the pertinent points...and he has some colorful language too. Just keep in mind, the JL has the alternator where you should be able to replace the coupler without removing the entire alternator.
Dodge Caliber Screaming Making Grinding Noise - YouTube

 

[Mgg253]

Do not, I stress DO NOT wait for it to fail. Happened to me on my 3.6 Grand Cherokee on a trip. 90 miles from home in the mountains. It turned a $400 job into a $3000 job when it fried the ECM and took the battery and a few other electronics with it. Plus it was a $350 tow and a $150 Uber ride home. Oh and when it all goes you have seconds to get off the road when it locks you in 1st gear.

I could go on because my situation got worse when it happened, but you get the point.

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