2008 JK Timing Cover Oil Leak

[cpwolf]

3.8L Engine Oil Seepage Due To Front Timing Cover Surface Porosity - 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler | FCA

NUMBER: 09-008-07 GROUP: Engine DATE: November 07, 2007 SUBJECT: 3.8L Engine Oil Seepage Due To Front Timing Cover Surface Porosity OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves the replacement of the 3.8L engine timing cover. MODELS: 2007 - 2008 (JK) Wrangler NOTE: This bulletin applies to Wrangler vehicles...

chrysler.oemdtc.com

My son's 2008 JK 2 door with the 3.8 and NSG 6 speed has leaked oil since we've owned it. I've changed the pan gasket, and I'm very confident this is not the issue now.

I've been in there pretty deep looking, and researching, and found the above bulletin on these 3.8 that the Timing Cover is porous? Are you freaking kidding me? ARgghh.

I hear RMS anytime I bring up oil leak, and it's not that....or I should say not "Just" that, ha.

I have oil small drips on most of the passenger side pan bolt heads. I was almost positive I had not seated the filter correctly, as there is oil there and all over behind the pulley.

Has anyone replaced the timing chain cover and seen this issue? I've not done this, and wanted to see if there is a write up or any experience on this 3.8. I've searched and seen nothing about doing this.

68003438AA this is the part number, and it's even registering as no longer available. Anyone have any experience sourcing this part? I don't want a used one, as they obviously came with leaks ..... in the freaking aluminum.​

 

[Anybodyhome]

68003438AA this is the part number, and it's even registering as no longer available. Anyone have any experience sourcing this part? I don't want a used one, as they obviously came with leaks ..... in the freaking aluminum.

https://www.jeeppartsoverstock.com/...-Includes-Water-Pump/42422767/68003438AC.html

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-109674-635-110.aspx

https://www.dodgeparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-timing-case-cover-remanufactured-68003438ac?c=az0x

I found the part at these places, but they're all showing the suffix as an "AC" versus an "AA." Maybe they came up with a better product or...?

From what I've read, the cover was only a problem for a certain number of vehicles during a specific production run and the part was either sourced from another vendor or it was replaced with a better, non-porous cover, for what it's worth.

 

[cpwolf]

https://www.jeeppartsoverstock.com/...-Includes-Water-Pump/42422767/68003438AC.html

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-109674-635-110.aspx

https://www.dodgeparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-timing-case-cover-remanufactured-68003438ac?c=az0x

I found the part at these places, but they're all showing the suffix as an "AC" versus an "AA." Maybe they came up with a better product or...?

From what I've read, the covers was only as problem for a certain number of vehicles during a specific production run and the part was either sourced from another vendor or it was replaced with a better, non-porous cover, for what it's worth.

Yeah, I was finding that today too. It was one of those nights I just was under it looking, trying to see what exactly is the issue after what I've done to work it. The bottom of the filter is pretty wet, but it's wet all up behind the harmonic balancer. I cleaned it all once, and I think before I get after these, I'm going to degrease all of the engine again and run some dye. Just have it run sitting, so cut down on wind blowing it around etc and really try and confirm that it's coming from that area.

I did go to conventional and it's slowed it...some, ha.

 

[JerryD]

Pourous? Wow, no never heard that one...

(With apologies to George Harrison)

"While my three-eight gently weeps..."