Ram 3.6L Pentastar oil cooler replacement

[Fordiesel69]

So I have watched this repair of the caravan's and the jeeps, and this whole repair looks quite easy. Bigest issue being the time and labor to clean and degrease all the oil mess.

However with the ram 1500, even with the front tires removed and the rotors on the ground, there is not really a very comfortable way to do this job. The engine sits close to the firewall and reaching anything is tough. Has anyone done this job that can offer any tips?

And would anyone trust this for the low cost?
https://a.co/d/i7CWBBn

 

[KrisZ]

I would either buy a new Mopar unit or just get new seals and replace those instead of the whole cooler. I would not trust any of the aluminum coolers. There are many reports of them having poor machining surfaces, fitment and leaking after installation.

 

[Capt W]

Haven't done the cooler on a RAM, but have done a few minivans and a Wrangler. You're correct stating the job is more time consuming than difficult. But, seriously..."Boeeda?" Would you really perform a few hours' labor and a bunch of cleaning to install a Boeeda? Don't cheap out. If you don't want to pony up for a Mopar replacement, at least buy the part from a company a tad more reputable than one from a back alley in Beijing.

And before buying a replacement, diagnose leakage (if that's your issue). The coolers aren't all broken...some merely suffer from flattened/leaky seals.

 

[wwillson]

The Dorman I put in mine is of good quality and has had zero problems. My mechanic friend replaces about one OEM a week with the Dorman and has yet to have one come back with a problem. The Dorman is more expensive, but when you get finished with the job, you'll pretty much know that you don't want to have a redo.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-oil-cooler-installed-on-2014-durango.375802/

 

[D60]

I'd order a Dorman from RA and a topside creeper from Amazon. Not joking.

I also don't trust the Dorman seals so I order them separately. I can't prove the Dorman seals are suspect.

 

[mitsuman47]

Please don’t order that Chinese made garbage from Amazon.

However, if you do, please post pics and video of your truck broken down on the side of the road spewing oil, along with an “I can’t believe this would happen” sob story.

Best advice in the thread is to order the Dorman.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

@Fordiesel69 I'm 10k into my new Dorman aluminum unit on our T&C. I'd do it again over the plastic OEM one. I did use the seals included with it from RA.

@wwillson did a nice write up on doing his Durango. Is that at all similar for you?

Just my $0.02

 

[Fordiesel69]

A durango would be similar to mine but much less reach. I am not concerd about the technical aspects of the wrenching and how to do it. I wanna know how the heck to reach it for 3-4 hours. Just taking the air snorkel off was hard.....

 

[KrisZ]

A durango would be similar to mine but much less reach. I am not concerd about the technical aspects of the wrenching and how to do it. I wanna know how the heck to reach it for 3-4 hours. Just taking the air snorkel off was hard.....

Get a step stool, lay a foam mat across the grill so it’s more comfortable laying your body on it to ease the strain on your back. That would be my suggestion.

 

[cptbarkey]

Topside creeper.

 

[The Critic]

If you use the Dorman, use the Mopar sensor.

 

[cptbarkey]

 

[BrendanC]

i have also installed a dorman unit with new mopar OEM seals. about a year in service and no leaks.

 

[D60]

If you use the Dorman, use the Mopar sensor.

On the new -959 kit they don't provide the sensor any longer and have you transfer it over

 

[Elroy the Brave]

I installed the Dorman with new Mopar seals as well.

The only Dorman seals I used are the "Figure 8" seals between the cooler and the housing. Mopar does not sell those for some reason. Some people have had those fail on them, and so, after reading a few forums I decided to lightly coat those in Permatex Ultra Grey for added strength. Hopefully it lasts.

DORMAN DESIGN:

Mopar has actually recently updated the design and part on their plastic housing, where they added an extra plastic "rib" between the "figure 8" seals, and actually separated them into different materials.

 

[D60]

I installed the Dorman with new Mopar seals as well.

The only Dorman seals I used are the "Figure 8" seals between the cooler and the housing. Mopar does not sell those for some reason. Some people have had those fail on them, and so, after reading a few forums I decided to lightly coat those in Permatex Ultra Grey for added strength. Hopefully it lasts.

DORMAN DESIGN:

Mopar has actually recently updated the design and part on their plastic housing, where they added an extra plastic "rib" between the "figure 8" seals, and actually separated them into different materials.

I glommed on to wwilson's thread as I didn't like one of the Mahle seals, so did use the Dorman there:
Post in thread 'New Dorman oil filter housing/oil cooler installed on 2014 Durango' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...installed-on-2014-durango.375802/post-6949510

 

[nthach]

I’d use the Dorman cooler with an OEM Mopar sensor and seals if it was me.

If the newest revision of the OEM Mopar design proves to be better, I’d go towards that so a quick lube or dealer lube can install the “right” filter. I assume Mahle Behr or Hengst made the OEM part.

 

[LouC]

I wonder just what was the "thought" process of putting an oil passage right next to a coolant passage separated only those gaskets. As we all know, antifreeze contamination in the motor oil is death to bearings. I really wanted another Wrangler or a Gladiator, but I absolutely HATE that oil filter housing design!

 

[D60]

I’d use the Dorman cooler with an OEM Mopar sensor and seals if it was me.

If the newest revision of the OEM Mopar design proves to be better, I’d go towards that so a quick lube or dealer lube can install the “right” filter. I assume Mahle Behr or Hengst made the OEM part.

Not sure of OP's model year? It uses the "later" filters so on some it still uses whatever the book would say. I think the issue was on the earlier JKs primarily

 

[Fordiesel69]

Its a 2016.