Ram 3.6L Pentastar oil cooler replacement

[D60]

Its a 2016.

So yeah, it already uses the 10010 which should be what the Dorman needs, so even if an ignorant LOF place was just going by the book they should get it right (along with cross-threading your drain plug)

 

[JTK]

Luckily I never had to replace the oil filter/cooler assembly on any of my pentastars, including the one in a Ram 1500 I owned. I only owned them until about 70K miles. For the Rams I'd imagine you'd need one of those lay on, top side creepers like mentioned above or lay on a piece of foam. I feel for ya. Access is rough on a Ram 1500. I understand that in just about every case, it's a seal failure that caused the leak on these, but regardless, I'd want an aluminum one vs plastic. Then use known good seals and sensors. These things are frustrating because you cant see the leak, nor can you test run them. Everything has to be buttoned back up to factory form. All you can do is guess which seal or area leaked after you pull the assembly out.

 

[D60]

I love how visibly twisted the o-ring is. Someone clearly rolled it on rather than walking on with a pick, as is my custom. I guess....it's Dorman.....sigh

 

[D60]

Luckily I never had to replace the oil filter/cooler assembly on any of my pentastars, including the one in a Ram 1500 I owned. I only owned them until about 70K miles. For the Rams I'd imagine you'd need one of those lay on, top side creepers like mentioned above or lay on a piece of foam. I feel for ya. Access is rough on a Ram 1500. I understand that in just about every case, it's a seal failure that caused the leak on these, but regardless, I'd want an aluminum one vs plastic. Then use known good seals and sensors. These things are frustrating because you cant see the leak, nor can you test run them. Everything has to be buttoned back up to factory form. All you can do is guess which seal or area leaked after you pull the assembly out.

At least in most cases the valley is a LAKE of oil. But yeah, you can't run it to visually check for leaks AFTER the repair, except you can just barely watch the valley at the right angles to see if it fills up again in the following days and weeks. That's about it -- not great.

 

[KrisZ]

Yeah, it’s hard to see into the valley for sure. I check mine each OCI and the last time I checked I think I saw some wetness around the visible cooler post. The valley itself appears to be dry though.

I have the replacement seals and I think at over 100k on the originals, it’s probably a good time to change them soon.

 

[JTK]

At least in most cases the valley is a LAKE of oil. But yeah, you can't run it to visually check for leaks AFTER the repair, except you can just barely watch the valley at the right angles to see if it fills up again in the following days and weeks. That's about it -- not great.

For sure on the pool of oil thing. It's easy to identify the cooler/filter assembly is leaking. The challenge is in knowing what component on the cooler/filter caused the leak or is leaking the most. Best you can do is send an endoscope cam down the valley with the engine running, but like you say, there really isn't any room for that with everything in place either.

 

[MrkofXcellence]

That new design might make all the difference in the world.

 

[Auto tech]

Make sure you change your oil after you replace the cooler on any of these Mopar engines that use this setup

 

[Auto tech]

View attachment 260031


I love how visibly twisted the o-ring is. Someone clearly rolled it on rather than walking on with a pick, as is my custom. I guess....it's Dorman.....sigh

Yes dorman can be hit or miss on their products

 

[4wd]

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!

Get the T4 engine …

 

[Auto tech]

Get the T4 engine …

That's exactly why I recommend changing the oil when you change the faulty cooler. The coolant will most likely be mixed with the oil. But yes I agree fiat (fix it again Tony). Owns Mopar so .

 

[joel95ex]

so my daughters 18 charger needs this done. i just can't decide on whether to get the updated oem, dorman or something else. oem will probably take too long and local dealer probably wants twice what an online oem seller offers it. dorman and the others like skp (roackauto) have mixed reviews. i would buy mahle or mopar seals but wonder about the figure-8 seals. what has everyone gone with? also plan on re-using the existing sensors but have hear some people have trouble removing them. not really worried about the job being tough just can't decide on product choice

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Is this a logical job to do at the same time as replacing the spark plugs? I am about to replace plugs on my Wrangler, and might preventatively replace the cooler if I've done most of the work to get at it.