Another oil cooler bites the dust

PaddleDon

PaddleDon

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I just had yet another oil cooler/filter housing break on my 2014 Rubicon. This one only lasted 4 months. Last time it was oil everywhere. This time it is allowing oil into the coolant. Does anyone make an aftermarket unit that is superior in quality?
TIA
 
I know I've seen aftermarket ones that are all metal, however I don't remember where I saw it or if they are still made.

It is a bit odd that it would fail after only four months. The production ones from that time were prone to failure, but new ones you buy should be fine.

You say break though and not fail. Who is changing your oil? If an impact is being put on there you are pretty much guaranteed to break one every oil change. The cap shouldn't be put on with very much force, because it isn't needed. Lot of plastic in engines these days, not much different than overtightening aluminum, don't do it.
 
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Dorman is set to release an all aluminum one, but I don't know that it's available yet. The part number is 926-876.

It can't come on the market soon enough.

926-876.jpg


Here's a youtube on it

 
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They list 2014-18 for the Dorman. Would this fit any earlier 3.6L engine.
I believe the only change from 2013 is the oil filter, and I have read in other oiler cooler threads that the oil coolers were interchangeable between years.

Don
 
xackley said:
They list 2014-18 for the Dorman. Would this fit any earlier 3.6L engine.
I believe the only change from 2013 is the oil filter, and I have read in other oiler cooler threads that the oil coolers were interchangeable between years.

Don
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This is my understanding, too. You would need to use the new filter and new-style oil cap with the new design. And then be sure to note it somewhere obvious so you or a future owner doesn't screw up. :)
 
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Saw an insightful video where the cause of leaking coolant was "flattened" or worn out O-rings under the housing. If thats the case and there's no cracks, any housing, be it plastic or aluminum, can leak if the gaskets fail. Though, I absolutely understand why going to all aluminum is a great alternative. Particularly for those who do not change their own oil.

 
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Doesn't look like the OP every reported back. The video above is very insightful. The tech stated oil or coolant in the V of the engine was typically a failure of the plastic oil cooler base. Oil in the coolant is typically a failure of the oil cooler itself. Wonder how it turned out for the OP?

I have oil down the back of the bell housing. I have my Dorman and plan to start the replacement next weekend.
 
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My wife's 2013 Wrangler has this issue right now. To be honest, we've been smelling coolant for months now but couldn't find any substantial leak. The radiator had some signs of failure around the core to tank seam, so 2 weeks ago, I did the radiator, heater core (she hasn't had a working heater in over a year), T/Stat, and Upper/Lower Hoses. Big job and took me a couple days over the weekend to get done.

Now, two weeks later, the coolant smell is worse. Crawled underneath and found coolant sprayed all over the underside from transmission back. One quick google search showed this common problem. Yet another in a line of shitty designed parts on this piece of shit that Jeep never took responsibility for...

I've found that Dorman has a complete assembly available for the early models that include the new filter and cap. 926-959. I'm in the process of trying to find one now, but even Dorman direct doesn't have them. So either $650 from local dealer for OEM or roll the dice with Amazon...

I'm sure this next statement might annoy some people on here since this is a Wrangler Forum, but I told my wife 10 years ago not to buy a Jeep because I knew I would have to be the one working on it all the time. This thing has had so many failures over it's life. I've been driving my 2006 Tacoma since new and it has 300,000 miles and only thing that has failed is an alternator a couple years ago. Everything else has just been consumables. I can't wait to replace this vehicle.
 
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nasher75 said:
My wife's 2013 Wrangler has this issue right now. To be honest, we've been smelling coolant for months now but couldn't find any substantial leak. The radiator had some signs of failure around the core to tank seam, so 2 weeks ago, I did the radiator, heater core (she hasn't had a working heater in over a year), T/Stat, and Upper/Lower Hoses. Big job and took me a couple days over the weekend to get done.

Now, two weeks later, the coolant smell is worse. Crawled underneath and found coolant sprayed all over the underside from transmission back. One quick google search showed this common problem. Yet another in a line of shitty designed parts on this piece of shit that Jeep never took responsibility for...

I've found that Dorman has a complete assembly available for the early models that include the new filter and cap. 926-959. I'm in the process of trying to find one now, but even Dorman direct doesn't have them. So either $650 from local dealer for OEM or roll the dice with Amazon...

I'm sure this next statement might annoy some people on here since this is a Wrangler Forum, but I told my wife 10 years ago not to buy a Jeep because I knew I would have to be the one working on it all the time. This thing has had so many failures over it's life. I've been driving my 2006 Tacoma since new and it has 300,000 miles and only thing that has failed is an alternator a couple years ago. Everything else has just been consumables. I can't wait to replace this vehicle.
Click to expand...
I don't blame ya one bit. Its really a toss-up with the 2012 and up JK's. That's the brutal truth. But Im not too worried about shyt talking the Jk. Most these dude's aren't sensitive to others speaking their mind. 😁
 
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nasher75 said:
My wife's 2013 Wrangler has this issue right now. To be honest, we've been smelling coolant for months now but couldn't find any substantial leak. The radiator had some signs of failure around the core to tank seam, so 2 weeks ago, I did the radiator, heater core (she hasn't had a working heater in over a year), T/Stat, and Upper/Lower Hoses. Big job and took me a couple days over the weekend to get done.

Now, two weeks later, the coolant smell is worse. Crawled underneath and found coolant sprayed all over the underside from transmission back. One quick google search showed this common problem. Yet another in a line of shitty designed parts on this piece of shit that Jeep never took responsibility for...

I've found that Dorman has a complete assembly available for the early models that include the new filter and cap. 926-959. I'm in the process of trying to find one now, but even Dorman direct doesn't have them. So either $650 from local dealer for OEM or roll the dice with Amazon...

I'm sure this next statement might annoy some people on here since this is a Wrangler Forum, but I told my wife 10 years ago not to buy a Jeep because I knew I would have to be the one working on it all the time. This thing has had so many failures over it's life. I've been driving my 2006 Tacoma since new and it has 300,000 miles and only thing that has failed is an alternator a couple years ago. Everything else has just been consumables. I can't wait to replace this vehicle.
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I bought my Doorman on Amazon as did a friend. I did the deed a few weeks ago. Worked great!

Jeep1.jpg


Jeep2.jpg
 
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One of the worst things to happen to Jeep was Toyota abandoning the FJ40 in the U.S. Lack of competition allowed the SWB line to coast on quality because it was the only game in town. My 08 lasted til 245k until I sold it, my current 16 has been doing "OK" but I bought the Dorman unit a while ago in anticipation of a problem.

Feel your pain...
 
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