Slight leak when outside temps are below freezing

Myrose925

Myrose925

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Joined
Dec 22, 2020
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3
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Hi all, wondering if any of you have had or heard of the issue where my 2012 JK has a small oil leak only when the outside temperature is under freezing. The leak leaves about a nickle size drop every 6 inches. The jeep is warm and is fine all year until the outside temp drops. We have changes oil filter and pan, as well as having a dealership look at it with no resolution.
 
The best thing is to look straight up when you see a drop on the surface and try to see where it's coming from.

I see your not far from me in the Fort.
 
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We have done that, I even parked over a piece a clean cardboard and we still cant seem to find the right issue.
The dealership says they think it is the head gasket but seems odd that it only happens when cold outside.
Yes not far from you.
 
Myrose925 said:
We have done that, I even parked over a piece a clean cardboard and we still cant seem to find the right issue.
The dealership says they think it is the head gasket but seems odd that it only happens when cold outside.
Yes not far from you.
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It hasn't really been that cold in our area yet but end of the week will be. Did the Dealer check the oil cooler that's on top of the engine under the intake manifold? Cold weather makes things shrink so maybe if someone could get under the engine and maybe check oil pan bolts to see if they are loose.
 
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That does not sound like a head gasket. When its cold out metal will shrink and when warm it expands so could be something like a the oil pressure sensor on the oil cooler
 
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mrjp said:
That does not sound like a head gasket. When its cold out metal will shrink and when warm it expands so could be something like a the oil pressure sensor on the oil cooler
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Yea kinda what I think and it's running down from the top of the engine. I don't have the 3.6 so I can't go out and look at where it could be coming from.
 
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BLACKJKU said:
It hasn't really been that cold in our area yet but end of the week will be. Did the Dealer check the oil cooler that's on top of the engine under the intake manifold? Cold weather makes things shrink so maybe if someone could get under the engine and maybe check oil pan bolts to see if they are loose.
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We will check that, it has only leaked the few days under 32, thankfully not many of those yet.
 
Myrose925 said:
We will check that, it has only leaked the few days under 32, thankfully not many of those yet.
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Thur and FRi highs in the 20's. Do you know if the Dealer put some dye in the oil, that's how most will try to find a leak that's hard to find.
 
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Have you confirmed if the fluid leaking is coolant or not? It does indeed sound like a head gasket.
 
BLACKJKU said:
It hasn't really been that cold in our area yet but end of the week will be. Did the Dealer check the oil cooler that's on top of the engine under the intake manifold? Cold weather makes things shrink so maybe if someone could get under the engine and maybe check oil pan bolts to see if they are loose.
Click to expand...
was going to say the same thing..
 
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I'd also look at the rear main seal. While you're looking at the bottom of the bell housing check the bolts there, as well.
 
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