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2014-2018 JK Oil Cooler Housing Mega Thread

755K views 3K replies 628 participants last post by  Artdnj 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Moderator Notes: (TLDR )

This is a known issue affecting thousands of 2012+ JKs, most notably in extreme cold conditions.
Failures range from:
  • Cracked housings
  • Leaking O rings
  • Sensor failure
Solution requires replacing the complete housing, it's also recommended to replace sensors while you're in there.

Important notes:
  • 2012 & 2013 are the original style
  • 2014, 2015 & 2016 have an updated style including a filter change
  • 2017 & 2018 had a change in the Oil Pressure Sending Unit and will be a different part number
  • Dorman makes an aluminum alternative (926-876)



Now back to the original thread:

I have a 2014 JKUR. I noticed a big puddle of engine oil in the garage last weekend, and looking under the Jeep, the oil was dripping off the clutch cover, so I suspected it was the rear main seal. After thinking about it, I thought it was odd that the clutch wasn't chattering like I expected it would with a rear main issue, so I was a little skeptical that it was actually that. I just received a call from the dealer, and they said it was a cracked oil cooler housing.

Googling around, there are a bunch of people who have experienced this already, and all seem to be 2014s, including at least one Cherokee KL (the new one) with the 3.2. So, I looked around and yes, the 3.2L uses the same oil filter/cooler assembly as the 3.6L.

The 2014 3.6L oil filter/housing/cooler appear to be NEW parts from 2013 and earlier. They probably re-engineered these so they would be common between the 3.2L and 3.6L, saving money.

So, ladies and gentlemen, we have a Fiat/Jeep/Chrysler clusterfork in motion.

This is not a trivial issue. While mine cracked and wasn't leaking a ton, others apparently have blown out. If this happens on a trail 20 miles from town, you are going to be screwed.
We need a survey sticky thread on this issue. How do we do that?:atomic:


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#16 ·
The problem only appears to be on 2014's, so the tidal wave is just starting. I found posts on this site from at least five owners already, and two brand new Cherokees on other sites. Only a minute fraction of Jeep owners post on Jeep sites. I also found two people who had already submitted complaints to the NTHSA, since the problem could cause an engine seizure or fire. I urge anyone who has had this issue to go to safercar.gov and post a complaint.

The part is backordered in Chrysler's system, but my dealer has seen this so many times already that they PRE-ORDERED some housings. Think about that.

I was out in Moab last week, on a 4WD road HOURS from the nearest town, and over 150 miles from the nearest Chrysler dealer. If this had happened out there, it would have cost over a grand just to get the Jeep to a dealer. I bought this vehicle to drive places like that, just like I spent years wheeling my 1997 4Runners out there, without ever having a single issue like this. My two 4Runners had a combined total of 520,000 miles on them when I got rid of them.

Yes, I am pissed.
 
#8 ·
It appears to create an aftermarket opportunity.

My car has a plastic valve cover with integrated PCV, the PCV cracked and emitted a shrieking whistle, think Steam Locomotive, about 180db for a drive through rushhour traffic and 100 miles home. I was less than pleased.

Went through bollox like this with a Fiero, too.

Didn't see this sort of crap on 1960's engines. :atomic:

Something to bear in mind when my Jeep JKUR comes in.
 
#10 ·
The oil cooler is a heat exchanger, where oil and coolant flow through the same housing, that little silver elongated block.
 
#13 ·
It's a foil plate heat exchanger. I have one that looks just like that on my home boiler, for hot water. Same size. According to my heating comtractor, this little thing has over 4 acres of heat exchange surface!
 
#19 ·
Not yet, despite a failed oil sensor, clutch switch, rear main seal, inner axle seal, and differential fluid. There is absolutely no quality control what so ever in these vehicles. IF Ford makes an awesome Bronco it will force JEEP to improve their quality, but right now there is no vehicle on the market like the Wrangler so they don't have to be high quality.
 
#22 ·
Wonder how many of these engines are on the road in 2014's? Did they change the heat exchanger in 2014? Does this part only exist on some variants, or do all of the 3.6's have this part? Any word if this is just on a problem on a few models, maybe some models stress this part due to routing of hoses?

Probably tons more interesting questions around this issue....

EDIT: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/02/chrysler-changes-v6-oil-filters notes that the oil filter change "may have coincided with changes to the oil cooler;"
 
#24 ·
Question is how many 2014 engines and do they all have the same heat exchanger design? Just wondering why there aren't 1000's of minivan owners with this problem?

I did some searching on NHTSA site and 2014 Chrysler only has a few complaints, nothing related to this issue. Also pokes around at 2014 Dodge, didn't find any oil cooler/heat exchanger problems. 2 Complaints for this issue on Jeep Wranglers. GC had tons of complaints, didn't find any for this issue. Didn't dig any further..

Maybe it's just a matter of time.
 
#29 ·
OK, now we can get closer to reality. The service advisor on the phone said my issue was a "cracked oil cooler cover". However, the part replaced was 68105583AA - Adapter - Engine Oil Filter.

Now, if you google this part number, you will find that this is a new part - it fits 2014 only.

A little more detective work found this:


Notas de imprensa - Hengst SE & Co. KG


Chrysler counts on Hengst Energetic®-System:
Oil Filter Module of the V6-Pentastar-Engine-Generation is made of a new and special polyamide.

Increased flexibility and production efficiency, reduced usage cost, and better fuel economy were the goals that Chrysler Group LLC has achieved with the 3,6L Pentastar V6 Engine. Chrysler assigned Hengst to develop and produce the integrated top loading Energetic® System oil filter module. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first vehicle built with the new engine generation.
The Hengst Oil Module has been specifically designed with a polyamide plastic housing with a disposable filter cartridge and integrated cooler to meet the engine’s requirements. The result is a cross-functional, lightweight component that occupies a minimum of space and is perfectly fit into the V of the engine. An Oil Flow Splitter in the heart of the module regulates the oil flow to the cooler.
Another advantage is provided by the environmentally friendly Energetic® System: Only the fully combustible filter cartridge is replaced, while the entire module is mounted to the engine block and needs no other service for the complete life time. This not only simplifies the oil change process but also eliminates the multi material waste of a spin-on oil filter.
"It has been a tremendous opportunity to work with Chrysler on this program to showcase our system integration, technology, and filtration expertise. Meeting the expectations in terms of design, cost and timing was only possible through the close collaboration and support from Chrysler” says Robert Junker, CEO of Hengst of North America, Inc.
The new Pentastar is a substantial step forward to boost the fuel efficiency by 25% by 2014. The Pentastar engine will eventually replace all seven existing Chrysler V6 engines.

Both, the Pentastar V6 Engine as well as the Oil Filter Module have received special attention among experts in the industry. The Pentastar Engine is one of 2011's "Ward's 10 Best Engines" and the Polyamide Hengst Module was nominated as a finalist in the Society of Plastics Engineers "Automotive Innovation Award 2010”.


I can't post the photo of the piece, but it is shown at the link. It is a piece of plastic that integrates the oil filter housing, plus the oil cooler attaches to it, and it has oil and coolant passages.

Obviously, Chrysler spun a revised part and the new part has a problem. Maybe they switched suppliers, or maybe it is a bad design, or maybe it is made out of less super-duper plastic. Apparently a similar part for the 3.2L has the same issue, but it must be under a different part number.

This thing is a beotch to get at. It lives *under* the intake. Not a trailside repair, in fact, depending on exactly where it cracked, you probably wouldn't even be able to get at it with some JB Weld for a limp home fix.

This sucks.

So, anyone with a major oil leak on a 2014 3.6, get out your paperwork and see if 68105583AA is the part replaced.
 
#875 ·
Cracked Oil cooler housing

OK, now we can get closer to reality. The service advisor on the phone said my issue was a "cracked oil cooler cover". However, the part replaced was 68105583AA - Adapter - Engine Oil Filter.

Now, if you google this part number, you will find that this is a new part - it fits 2014 only.

A little more detective work found this:


Notas de imprensa - Hengst SE & Co. KG


Chrysler counts on Hengst Energetic®-System:
Oil Filter Module of the V6-Pentastar-Engine-Generation is made of a new and special polyamide.

Increased flexibility and production efficiency, reduced usage cost, and better fuel economy were the goals that Chrysler Group LLC has achieved with the 3,6L Pentastar V6 Engine. Chrysler assigned Hengst to develop and produce the integrated top loading Energetic® System oil filter module. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first vehicle built with the new engine generation.
The Hengst Oil Module has been specifically designed with a polyamide plastic housing with a disposable filter cartridge and integrated cooler to meet the engine’s requirements. The result is a cross-functional, lightweight component that occupies a minimum of space and is perfectly fit into the V of the engine. An Oil Flow Splitter in the heart of the module regulates the oil flow to the cooler.
Another advantage is provided by the environmentally friendly Energetic® System: Only the fully combustible filter cartridge is replaced, while the entire module is mounted to the engine block and needs no other service for the complete life time. This not only simplifies the oil change process but also eliminates the multi material waste of a spin-on oil filter.
"It has been a tremendous opportunity to work with Chrysler on this program to showcase our system integration, technology, and filtration expertise. Meeting the expectations in terms of design, cost and timing was only possible through the close collaboration and support from Chrysler” says Robert Junker, CEO of Hengst of North America, Inc.
The new Pentastar is a substantial step forward to boost the fuel efficiency by 25% by 2014. The Pentastar engine will eventually replace all seven existing Chrysler V6 engines.

Both, the Pentastar V6 Engine as well as the Oil Filter Module have received special attention among experts in the industry. The Pentastar Engine is one of 2011's "Ward's 10 Best Engines" and the Polyamide Hengst Module was nominated as a finalist in the Society of Plastics Engineers "Automotive Innovation Award 2010”.


I can't post the photo of the piece, but it is shown at the link. It is a piece of plastic that integrates the oil filter housing, plus the oil cooler attaches to it, and it has oil and coolant passages.

Obviously, Chrysler spun a revised part and the new part has a problem. Maybe they switched suppliers, or maybe it is a bad design, or maybe it is made out of less super-duper plastic. Apparently a similar part for the 3.2L has the same issue, but it must be under a different part number.

This thing is a beotch to get at. It lives *under* the intake. Not a trailside repair, in fact, depending on exactly where it cracked, you probably wouldn't even be able to get at it with some JB Weld for a limp home fix.

This sucks.

So, anyone with a major oil leak on a 2014 3.6, get out your paperwork and see if 68105583AA is the part replaced.
Just found out my leaking at 5,000 miles 2014 unlimited JK. Oil leaking from the top under the intake the Dealer said. Hope they have 1 in stock so I can get it fixed this week. syswayne
 
#32 ·
While looking up information on it last night, I went through pentastars.com That assembly is pretty well buried under the air cleaner and intake manifold. See this picture.
 
#38 ·
Covered by warranty at least, right? As it's part of powertrain, by virtue of being bolted to top of the motor. Indeed a worrisome thing when considering being in the hinterlands during a failure.
 
#42 ·
Yes, covered by warranty. The MSRP on the part is $150. My service receipt didn't show the number of hours, but they had my Jeep for two days. They have to remove the intake manifold to get at it, disconnect oil and coolant lines, and hopefully change your oil/filter at the same time. I would guess it is a 2-4 hour book job. The part was in stock here in CO, but if you live somewhere that Jeeps are not as popular, you might have to wait for the backorder to clear.

Being stranded is my fear. When I go to Utah, I sometimes am WAY out there. Depending on where it cracked (mine was toward the rear, almost impossible to see or get to), you would not be able to do any kind of JB Weld repair on the trail. You'd better be carrying some spare oil to get you to where a tow truck can take you the rest of the way.

Given the location and function of the part, I can't imagine why it cracks in the first place. It is not structural at all. All I can figure is that it is heat related, and there is enough force on the coolant/oil lines to cause an issue. If the issue *is* heat related, by the end of summer we should have many more of these issues, since the 2014's didn't hit the showrooms until the weather cooled last fall.
 
#43 ·
Sometimes parts have built in stresses. As these aren't destined for aircraft use, e.g. Boeing 777, they don't bother with the expensive bit of x-raying to see if there are any stresses in place after the soldering/welding of the assembly process.

As it's a relatively new part they certainly need to review the quality and perhaps run a few samples from the assembly plant through an x-ray or disassembly to check for where the weakness is.

Last thing they should want is a mass recall on a fire hazard. Tends to harm reputation.
 
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