Oil leak from the front of JTR

[Chunky White]

Has anyone else found a leak from the front of their Gladiator? I started noticing it right after the last oil change and it looks like its coming from the front of the engine because I can see oil around the front of the pan and on the front differential

I wonder if the oil fliter gasket isn't bad since its located near the front but cannot really tell and just figured out it was my vehicle leaking. The dip stick still shows oil on it but I cannot tell exactly how much

With no warranty I guess i will diagnose on my own LOL

I will see if the dealer is open tomorrow and see if they will look at it since they changed the oil and there was no issues before hand. I just discovered the thread talking about broken filter housings

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[kevman65]

The oil cooler (under the filter housing and part of it) is prone on these 3.6's to issues.

Unfortunately, you have to start taking things apart and out to get down to it to verify.

 

[Hootbro]

Generally if the oil filter/cooler housing is leaking, it fills the top valley and leaks out the back more times than not.

Front engine leaks are going to be along the lines of a valve cover, front timing cover or a crank seal

 

[MCATDT]

my front leak was the water pump seal

 

[Warped]

In the shop now with only 1200 miles.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

Agreed with @Hootbro . When my JK oil cooler/filter housing started leaking it leaked out behind the engine and down my transmission (think middle of vehicle). Never a drop from the front.

This would be the first I've heard of a pentasutar timing cover/valve cover leaking after a few years though. Best of luck and keep us updated...photos?

 

[Maximus Gladius]

The tech could have missed the fill hole and spilled some. Crossing my fingers and holding my breath that’s all it is.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Id also grab a torque bar and check (in reverse) to see at
what poundage the bar shows when the filter cap loosens. The tech should have tightened it to 18lbs.

 

[OHJeeper]

In the shop now with only 1200 miles.

The color sure looks brown in your pic (like engine oil), but are you sure that's not a transmission leak?

 

[Warped]

The color sure looks brown in your pic (like engine oil), but are you sure that's not a transmission leak?

Possible, but it looked like oil to me as well. Will know more Monday or Tuesday when I pick it up.

 

[Chunky White]

Heres some quick pictures that I took in the driveway. When it is dripping on the driveway its from the front. I don't see but one leak when its parked. I bought some oil to top off if needed and will wipe everything down tomorrow if the dealer cannot get me in to look at it. If its going to cost much and not a big project I will probably fix it myself.

The oil was changed on December 28th so I would not think I would still have dripping oil 3 weeks later from spilled oil. I wish thats what it was. With oil still reading on the dipstick I am hoping its leaking too much but the pictures make it look like a fair amount has leaked out. I never noticed any leaks before I went for the oil change and was told by the guy who serviced the jeep all looked well with it and he had zero recommendations

 

[Hootbro]

I would also look at the VVT Control Solenoids for leakage. There is two each on the forward sides of each valve cover.

 

[Chunky White]

I would also look at the VVT Control Solenoids for leakage. There is two each on the forward sides of each valve cover.

I took a quick look and did not notice any leakage around the three solenoids I could see with a quick look but see some oil to the drivers side of where the oil filter is. I really need to clean some of the mud and dirt off of the engine and take a better look. Weather will be crappy here for a week or so so i am not sure when I will get the chance to clean up the engine bay. I checked the dip stick again I don't see that I need to add any fluids so hopefully I will be good until I can get it cleaned up and take a better look

Thanks for the information

 

[OHJeeper]

Heres some quick pictures that I took in the driveway. When it is dripping on the driveway its from the front. I don't see but one leak when its parked. I bought some oil to top off if needed and will wipe everything down tomorrow if the dealer cannot get me in to look at it. If its going to cost much and not a big project I will probably fix it myself.

The oil was changed on December 28th so I would not think I would still have dripping oil 3 weeks later from spilled oil. I wish thats what it was. With oil still reading on the dipstick I am hoping its leaking too much but the pictures make it look like a fair amount has leaked out. I never noticed any leaks before I went for the oil change and was told by the guy who serviced the jeep all looked well with it and he had zero recommendations

To me, that looks very reminiscent of a harmonic balancer seal leak. I've seen MANY of these in the 3.8L engines from the JK. It leaks from the seal, drips down and the wind and radiator fan blow it backwards along the oil pan and even farther back to the transmission if it leaks long enough.

In your second pic, there doesn't look like any oil coming down from above, it's following (roughly) the oil pan and you see spatter on the transmission dust shield and the ATF pan.

If you're able to get a peak behind that pulley (the harmonic balancer) I'll bet you see it there.

 

[OHJeeper]

Here's an example from the 3.8L:

The reason why the filter is covered is because as oil hits the pulley shaft, the spinning of the pulley flings the oil as it spins.

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