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Help! 2012 through 2017 oil filter issues..BEWARE..

242K views 356 replies 108 participants last post by  Old Dogger 
#1 ·
I was doing a routine oil change on my 2012, when things went very bad! I unscrewed the oil filter cap and lifted it out, when a spring decided to come with it. Then I heard something fall inside the housing, I found a small piece of plastic and a round metal looking piece. When I went to grab the round piece it fell into a hole at the bottom of the housing and can no longer be seen. Now what can I do? What pieces are missing.

I've done dozens of oil changes on this thing and have never seen this spring before. I'm guessing it came from the post in the center of the oil filter housing.
 

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#2 ·
In the diagram of the entire housing, the piece fell into Hole #1, which is the inflow from the oil pump into the filter. If I manage to get the piece out, I just wonder what else is missing inside there.
 

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#3 ·
#4 ·
Thanks for that video. That's exactly what happened, the oil pressure relieve valve popped off after I removed the filter. Now, I just hope I'm able to remove whatever piece fell into the oil inlet pipe. Now I just need to figure out how to replace the entire housing.
 
#5 ·
Wonder if you can install the 2014 and up redesigned housing and filter on your 2012 jeep. Would be nice to solve this issue once and for all.
 
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#6 ·
I was just quoted $220 for the housing, have to replace the whole thing since they don't sell just the valve. I just looked up the procedure replacing the housing, and it's quite extensive, but not too difficult. The first problem I see is that I have to relieve the fuel pressure, which involves starting the engine until it stalls. Can't do that because of the oil filter issue. Anyone know how to do this an alternate way?

I wonder if the dealer will cover this under the engine warranty?
 
#8 ·
Good news is that my Jeep dealer said they will replace the housing under the drivetrain warranty. Bad news is that they are booked for the next month, and I have to get it towed there. Oh well...at least if there are more pieces stuck in the engine, it'll be on them if there is a problem.

Thanks everyone for your help...
 
#15 ·
Seems to be a pretty common problem that I'm just now hearing about. I found a Dodge Avenger forum with guys that have the 3.6l Pentastar, and have the same exact problem. I can't believe such a critical function of the engine just explodes during an oil change. I can't honestly say, with 99.9% certainty, that I did not do anything wrong or negligent during the filter change...
 
#16 ·
Glad to hear they are going to warrant it. Backlog sucks but puts all the liability on them. Assume they are going to use the new design assembly and filter.
 
#18 ·
I would like to know what they ultimately replace the housing with.. 2011-13 model or the newer design?

On that youtube video I asked the tech a question if the newer design would fit..

He didn't know but expressed the concern of someone using the wrong filter if the newer housing was installed - primarily since the filter is different for 2011-13 and 2014 and up..

You would need to make sure the correct filter is used..

He also needs to make sure they install the latest engineering update on the housing since they've had problems with leaks. I think its noted in the oil leak thread - the housing is at AC revision.

Something to watch out for...

.
 
#22 ·
as the AE is later version. If they come out with another version it would be AF and so on.
 
#24 ·
Subscribed. Didnt know this assembly was so sensative jeez. Looks like we need to pay attention during next oil change. Sorry for your troubles
 
#26 ·
There is an enormous thread on the problems of the oil cooler housing for 2014 and later 3.6 pentastars. If you you search 2014 Cracked Oil Cooler you should find it.

As has been said, the part is only up to revision AC and it is not clear if the problem is yet resolved.

I would think twice about trying to "upgrade" a 2012/2013 with the 2014+ part.
 
#27 ·
I would think twice about trying to "upgrade" a 2012/2013 with the 2014+ part.
I also would think twice about putting in a different component than the factory one for that specific model year. What if someone does an oil change on it (future owner?) and buys the oil filter for a 2012, not knowing that the housing has been changed?

Stick with what it came with from the factory.
 
#29 ·
SOH... is that stem assembly removable? I know its not serviceable because you need to buy the entire housing..

It must press fit in the lower half of the housing.

Is there a way to get photos of that housing before the dealer sends it back to Jeep?

.
 
#30 ·
I'm pretty sure it's removable. It's spring loaded, and probably has some type of C-clip holding it on. I don't want to mess with it, because if it breaks they might say I was negligent and not cover it under warranty.

I read on another forum that someone purchased the whole assembly, and figured out a way to remove the post without removing the entire assembly. They said it took over 2 hours of work to get it apart and back together.

I'm away from the Jeep for a few days, but will try to get some better pictures when I get a chance.
 
#33 ·
This is what you get when build an oil filter housing out of plastic. This should be an aluminum piece or any kind of metal to put up with the oil pressure, heat and abuse. Makes me long for an old school spin on filter.
 
#37 ·
Chrysler bumped my warranty to the 5-year bumper to bumper after my coolant debacle, but powertrain remains the same.....

Hopefully by the time mine is up that high in mileage (only at 25K now) someone comes out with a fix for this valve other than replacing the whole damn housing. In the meantime, I'll have to keep an eye on it when I change oil, I'll be doing one in the next week or so.

I, too, wish there was a metal spin-on filter located in the same spot. Plastic has no business in an oil filter housing environment, IMO.
 
#38 ·
Update:

Dealer replaced the oil filter housing free of charge under the 5yr/100k mile powertrain warranty. They grilled me to see if I was negligent and caused the failure, but in the end they replaced it with minimal hassel.
 
#39 ·
good to hear.
 
#46 ·
I apologize in advance if I screw this up; this is my first post on this forum. I’ve been lurking in the shadows for quite some time, but recently got back into the Jeep world a few months ago with the recent purchase. Anyhow, after reading this post I’m certain this failure occurred on my last oil change, however at the time, I had no idea. I turned my back to grab the new filter and “pop”! I thought something just fell off the shelf in my garage, but I later found the broken plastic piece, thinking it just came off of one of the many projects I do in my garage…Needless to say I’ve been driving the Jeep for 3000k+ miles with ZERO issues. As a result of reading this post and learning what indeed happened to my Jeep, I took it to my local dealership this morning. They are now refusing to replace it under the powertrain warranty( I’m at 62k miles) because this is not a “known issue”…Can anyone give me some advice on how I might could get them to cover this obvious flaw? Thank You
 
#48 ·
StuckinOH gave you good advise. This is well enough documented that if you brought to them a list of links everywhere it is mentioned on message boards, and the youtube video describing the issue it will be hard for them to claim it isn't common. I'd get Chrysler Corporate involved if things don't go your way, provide them with the links if need be. Make sure you're using Mopar filters. Good luck.
 
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