[Vidashae]

The dealership can’t service my vehicle until Monday so I’m hoping to get some answers here.
What kind of fluid is leaking under my Jeep?
Is it safe to drive to a dealer or should I get it towed there?
Is it covered by extended warranty?
2018 Willys JKU
38,800 miles

 

[jeepjk1968]

Hard to tell from the pic. Looks like it's starting up front and blowing back. What does it smell like? Looks thinner than oil but I am somewhat color blind/ old and on the phone-lol

How far is the dealer and have you checked various fluid levels?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Sgt_USMC]

Looks brown so my shot would be oil. As stated above, check your fluid levels. All just to be safe. As far as the coverage, that is a very hard question to answer. There are several variables that go into play.

 

[Vidashae]

Hard to tell from the pic. Looks like it's starting up front and blowing back. What does it smell like?

Looks thinner than oil but I am somewhat color blind/ old and on the phone-lol

How far is the dealer and have you checked various fluid levels?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Hard to tell from the pic. Looks like it's starting up front and blowing back. What does it smell like?

Looks thinner than oil but I am somewhat color blind/ old and on the phone-lol

How far is the dealer and have you checked various fluid levels?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Hard to tell from the pic. Looks like it's starting up front and blowing back. What does it smell like? Looks thinner than oil but I am somewhat color blind/ old and on the phone-lol

How far is the dealer and have you checked various fluid levels?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

The only way I can describe it is a burning smell when I start it up.🤷🏽‍♀️
I didn’t touch/smell the leakage while under the vehicle. I was only able to take a few photos.
The dealer is 45 minutes away. There’s one 15 minutes away but I’ve heard their service isn’t great. I haven’t checked all the fluid levels but I will do that tomorrow. Oil is at 73%. Thanks!

 

[Sgt_USMC]

What do you mean 73%? Is that the oil life according to the computer or fill level?

 

[Vidashae]

Looks brown so my shot would be oil. As stated above, check your fluid levels. All just to be safe. As far as the coverage, that is a very hard question to answer. There are several variables that go into play.

I will check fluid levels tomorrow. It’s already dark out. Thanks!

 

[Vidashae]

What do you mean 73%? Is that the oil life according to the computer or fill level?

According to the computer. It’s dark outside so that’s the best I could do.

 

[Sgt_USMC]

FYI That’s just the oil life. The computer takes mileage and time to calculate the oil life. It doesn’t mean that’s the amount you have.

Checking the level would be the first thing you should do in the morning. Definitely don’t want to drive it on low oil or trans fluid.

 

[Vidashae]

Oh, got it 😅 Will definitely check tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Roadhawg011]

That looks very much like Oil. Being so far back like that it's more than likely the Oil cooler that sits between the V of the motor. Stupid plastic mounted part that cracks and leaks oil, coolant or both.

My wife's went on her 2013, first it blew only coolant and almost overheated. Replacement failed almost immediately and would leak oil, just like yours especially under heavy load or high RPM. 2nd replacement seems to be holding. The fact that the leak is in the V of the motor and the angle of the motor itself means it seems to leak from the gearbox area behind the motor.

 

[Vidashae]

That looks very much like Oil. Being so far back like that it's more than likely the Oil cooler that sits between the V of the motor. Stupid plastic mounted part that cracks and leaks oil, coolant or both.

My wife's went on her 2013, first it blew only coolant and almost overheated. Replacement failed almost immediately and would leak oil, just like yours especially under heavy load or high RPM. 2nd replacement seems to be holding. The fact that the leak is in the V of the motor and the angle of the motor itself means it seems to leak from the gearbox area behind the motor.

I’m pretty sure that’s the issue. Mine was leaking coolant at first, so I was confused when I saw the brown fluid too. But it all makes sense now. Was the replacement covered under warranty?

 

[Vidashae]

That looks very much like Oil. Being so far back like that it's more than likely the Oil cooler that sits between the V of the motor. Stupid plastic mounted part that cracks and leaks oil, coolant or both.

My wife's went on her 2013, first it blew only coolant and almost overheated. Replacement failed almost immediately and would leak oil, just like yours especially under heavy load or high RPM. 2nd replacement seems to be holding. The fact that the leak is in the V of the motor and the angle of the motor itself means it seems to leak from the gearbox area behind the motor.

Just checked my extended warranty plan and the engine oil cooler is covered. Hopefully that's the only issue and is a relatively simple fix. Thanks!

 

[5JKs]

Get a flashlight and look into the valley (top of the motor near below where the oil filter goes). If you see oil there, it's the cooler. Yes, it will smell when running. Check oil level, I'd take it to the local dealer. Not a hard fix, hopefully there's no backorder on parts.

 

[toosurreal01]

99% it's the oil cooler housing that is leaking.

 

[Vidashae]

Update: It was the oil cooler that needed to be replaced like you guys said. I had it towed to the dealership and they fixed it the same day. The tow and repair was covered under my extended warranty. Woo hoo! Thanks everyone!

 

[5JKs]

Thanks for the followup info - always appreciated.