Jeep Blown oil cooler in Moab - Suggestions

[NatersXJ6]

Hmmm... so we made it to Moab for the grand family vacation and...

Smelled oil burning. At first I thought it was other kids cars, until I hosed off all the road salt, grime, slush, and discovered oil all over the transmission and exhaust crossover.

I also have oil in the engine valley under the filter housing, so ... yeah ... I’m guessing the high-rpm headwind runs up the mountain freeways blew my oil filter adapter housing / oil cooler.

Where does one find a dealership only part for a 2014 JK in Moab, on a Saturday?

Any secret awesome mechanics people know of?

Any guesses on how long I can get away with driving and oil dripping on the exhaust before flames enter the equation?

I have a wife and 3 kids here, trapped in a motel. If I had the part I’m guessing I could change it with tools I have, or I’m completely willing to pay to have it done as long as investing some $$ puts my vacation back on track.

This is my cry for help and advice to and from anyone out there that can point me a direction.

My options in order right now are:

Call every repair place I can google as soon as they open.
Call Grand Junction and try to get a cooler from the dealer there... either drive Jeep there or rent a car and go pick up cooler.
Try to hoop the thing up with right-stuff after disassembling upper intake (sketchy)
Dump lots of oil in all the time on the way home and hope it doesn’t catch fire with my family in it (sketchier)
We have to do about 900 miles home. I can cover the getting around here with a rental for a few days.

Please fire away with the options.
Nate

 

[Superduty]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Do you know exactly what part(s) you need?

You indicate the headwind and mountain passes may have blown the oil cooler adaptor. From too much heat build-up? Pressure too high?

I am not familiar with that part, but I picture a hunk of cast aluminum, so I'm wondering how that goes bad. Are there hoses that could have blown? Or the gasket on the oil filter?

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[Superduty]

Notwithstanding my questions above, my advice is to find the correct parts, fix it and be on your way.

Dealer

Jeep junk yard

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[NatersXJ6]

Thanks. Yes, I know the exact parts, it is unfortunately a common Chrysler 3.6 L failure. A plastic piece that holds the oil filter and an aluminum cooler, joining both to the engine. I don’t know the failure mode, but I’m lead to believe that some sort of thin spot or plug in the assembly cracks, thus my belief that long sustained high-oil pressures from running up the mountains may have contributed. At high engine speeds, the pressure sensor will often read 70 or more PSI, combined with 4 years of desert under hood temperatures and I’m guessing my number came up.

Thanks though. I’m hoping someone will know specifics... like which guy stocks stuff locally.

 

[Superduty]

I would call the nearest dealer and if they don't have your parts they should be able to see in their computer what the closest dealer is that would have it - assuming you can find one open Saturday. I am in So Cal, there should be a few Jeep dealers parts dept around here open on Saturday, if you want I can get it for you and overnight it to you for Monday (that won't be the cheapest option - probably last resort).

If none of the colorado Jeep dealer parts depts are open tomorrow, the other option is to find a dealer that is open tomorrow and see if they can check stock of a colorado dealer so you can get it monday morning and avoid having one shipped to you.

I'll PM you my cell number.

 

[outback97]

I don’t know anything about Jeeps but you could also try asking on these regional forums, maybe someone local could help you out:
https://www.rme4x4.com
https://www.expeditionutah.com/

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

I would think you could reach out to a jeep club in moab i am sure thers onethere

I would like to see some pictures of the failed part and location i thought the coolers in front of the radiators were trans coolers i had one installed on my 2008 jkur i think that became standard on the 3.6 too

 

[Superduty]

I would think you could reach out toma jeep club in moab i am sure thers onethere

I would like tomsee some pictures of the failed part and location ithought the coolers in front of thevradiators were trans coolers i had one installed on my 2008 jkur ithink that became standard on the 3.6 too

Engine oil cooler not trans

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[jadmt]

I had a part shipped one day via amazon while in Moab a while back. Had it shipped to the motel. it is a common part so most likely could get one shipped from grand junction quickly.

https://www.amazon.com/Housing-2014...TF8&qid=1546066643&sr=8-3&keywords=68105583AF

 

[jadmt]

for those that don't know it is a common problem on 2014 jk's. It sits down in the V of the engine and you have to remove a few parts to get to it but any capable mechanic should be able to do the job in a couple of hours. the part is only on pentastar 3.6L so 2012-2018 jeeps.

 

[jadmt]

My 2014 jkur had it replaced and it is covered under the 5/10000 drivetrain warranty but of course you need to get to a dealer for that.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Thanks for the amazon info. My earlier search showed nothing with fast shipping, but your link through that provider shows a delivery on Monday. I can cover family sightseeing with a rental and fix the damn thing Monday night in the hotel parking lot.

Hopefully it will be cold and rainy... why not.

After the 5 week long fiasco trying to get a dealer to warranty my completely failed braking system (abs controller) I learned that the FCA warranty was about as good as Tommy boy crapping in a box and writing guaranteed on it. I won’t ever deal with them again.

 

[moabian]

I would call Napa when they open (435-259-7195). It's next door to the liquor store on 200 south just west of the main drag. If they do not have the part, they might be able to point you in the right direction. I am going to Grand Junction this afternoon but will not be back until this evening. I'd be happy to stop in the Jeep dealership in Junction and pick up a part for you if they will allow you to pay for the part over the phone, but you would need to drive out to my place in Castleton (26 miles outside of Moab) to pick it up tonight or tomorrow. You might also go just south of town. On the west side of the highway (where Moab 4x4 Outpost used to be) is a place that I think does Jeep repair...haven't dealt with them though. Moab 4x4 Outpost was one of the best repair/build shops in the country, but Steve moved to Hurricane, UT. I asked Dan Mick (world-famous Jeep guru) a few months ago about his recommendations for Jeep repair in Moab now. He knew of no one. PM'd you my phone #.

Edit...sorry, had a couple of the numbers transposed in NAPA's phone number. It's correct now. I'm often dyslexic before 8 a.m. I've been pleasantly surprised more than once about the availability of in-stock Jeep parts at the local NAPA store.

 

[GB_Willys_2014]

Thanks. Yes, I know the exact parts, it is unfortunately a common Chrysler 3.6 L failure. A plastic piece that holds the oil filter and an aluminum cooler, joining both to the engine. I don’t know the failure mode, but I’m lead to believe that some sort of thin spot or plug in the assembly cracks, thus my belief that long sustained high-oil pressures from running up the mountains may have contributed. At high engine speeds, the pressure sensor will often read 70 or more PSI, combined with 4 years of desert under hood temperatures and I’m guessing my number came up.

Thanks though. I’m hoping someone will know specifics... like which guy stocks stuff locally.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I (obsessively) worry about just this problem, which, iirc, is not limited to just 14's but all 3.6 motors (in all applications) with the new style oil filter.

There is a huge thread on this subject on Wrangler Forum. Have you posted there too?

Just out of curiosity, how many miles on your Jeep?

Good luck! Keep us posted please.

 

[NatersXJ6]

72k miles. I had heard about the issue, and even thought about preemptive replacement, but other Stuff always felt more important at the time.

Of interest, there was very little warning and the leak did not appear to develop slowly over time. it was fast and seems large, although oil spreads out, so it might not really be large, except that it is going right on the exhaust.

I was able to rent a suitable replacement for a reasonable price this AM, so I’m just going to continue vacation and wait on amazon then do a middle of the night parts swap... I’m no stranger to that.

Thanks to those who PMd me. You’re always welcome to reach out if you have issues in central California, I’ll run to help.