Engine oil leak - front of motor

[macgyvr]

Photo is of the bottom of the engine on the passenger's side. That bolt that is circled was hand tight. I am not sure if it goes all the way into the engine block or not, but after clean up and tightening it, I took a 10 miles test drive and it was dry.

I also noticed that there is fluid around the transmission pan. I realize that this is the engine forum, however, I am throwing the pan photos in as well in case it's related. I don't think it is, because there's no fluid trail that comes from the motor to the pan. I tightened the pan bolts just a tick, wiped it off and after the same 10 mile test drive, I did not see any further leaks so far.

Of course, I am 3 months out of powertrain warranty with only 24,600 miles, purchased 11/2019.

Curious if anyone else has seen this.

mac 'warranty no more' gyvr

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[PuddleJumper]

Ah the infamous oil cooler leak. That housing on top of the block your oil filter goes into. Its cracked my guy. Happens to everyone eventually. Doorman makes an Aluminum replacement. That OE plastic just doesn't hold up long term.


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ing-with-oil-cooler-filter-926-959/50009312-P

 

[macgyvr]

At the bottom front of the motor?

I checked the valley up top and it was dry.

mac ‘not convinced yet of oil cooler’ gyvr

Ah the infamous oil cooler leak. That housing on top of the block your oil filter goes into. Its cracked my guy. Happens to everyone eventually. Doorman makes an Aluminum replacement. That OE plastic just doesn't hold up long term.


https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ing-with-oil-cooler-filter-926-959/50009312-P

 

[PuddleJumper]

At the bottom front of the motor?

I checked the valley up top and it was dry.

mac ‘not convinced yet of oil cooler’ gyvr

picks show it leaking down the back too and thats generally a dead giveaway. plus the actual valley is under that cooler. So unless you pulled the intake manifold and the oil cooler already, the only way i can imagine "seeing" the valley would be a with borescope cam jammed in there somewhere. But if its not the cooler, i would bet rear main and then some cover gasket on the front. Ultimately even with pretty nice pictures, it doesn't come close to an actual set of eyes and a flashlight.

 

[TinMan2020]

24,600 miles……..24,600 miles…… A shame. I hope you can get it sorted without a ton of expense.

 

[macgyvr]

Those pictures are the back of the transmission not the front.

I could not trace oil from the back of the transmission to the front of the transmission or to the motor with my eyes and a flashlight.

Does that bolt circled go into the block and could have been the leak up front?

mac ‘leaky’ gyvr

picks show it leaking down the back too and thats generally a dead giveaway. plus the actual valley is under that cooler. So unless you pulled the intake manifold and the oil cooler already, the only way i can imagine "seeing" the valley would be a with borescope cam jammed in there somewhere. But if its not the cooler, i would bet rear main and then some cover gasket on the front. Ultimately even with pretty nice pictures, it doesn't come close to an actual set of eyes and a flashlight.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Those pictures are the back of the transmission not the front.

I could not trace oil from the back of the transmission to the front of the transmission or to the motor with my eyes and a flashlight.

Does that bolt circled go into the block and could have been the leak up front?

mac ‘leaky’ gyvr

Oh yeah if the leak is active while driving the wind will drag it all back there. Generally the pan will still be cleaner on the belly cus debris and water constantly hit it. The lips will hold the oil. You might not have leak, my just a messy previous oil change and some oil pooled somewhere after a sloppy pour and when you drive it got flung everywhere.

 

[macgyvr]

24,600 miles……..24,600 miles…… A shame. I hope you can get it sorted without a ton of expense.

Awesome isn’t it…

garage kept, 5k miles a year…

mac ‘paid off’ ‘gyvr

 

[AZ_Adventure_Clicks]

That bolt holds a pulley and nothing more.
Oil cooler cracks would be from someone over tightening the filter housing. I've heard the actual seals go bad where they contact the block and that the aluminum cooler is a waste of money (from the mechanic who services the JKs at the tour company I drive for).
This photo shows where the cooler goes.
I agree it's most likely a sloppy fill, but it's disturbing the bolt holding a pulley was only hand tight. I'd check the other bolts also- tensioner, generator etc.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RKcTwrKWkeuwtLJt8

 

[Vincent]

Oh yeah if the leak is active while driving the wind will drag it all back there. Generally the pan will still be cleaner on the belly cus debris and water constantly hit it. The lips will hold the oil. You might not have leak, my just a messy previous oil change and some oil pooled somewhere after a sloppy pour and when you drive it got flung everywhere.

I’m guilty of this recently…. Ugh!

 

[Medical_Bartender]

It could be the oil filter housing. I had to change my 2015 JK's right at 100k miles two years ago. 24k and change after 4-5 years seems pretty premature but it certainly could happen. Unfortunately the only way to really know (unless you have a borescope of sorts) is to pull the plenum and intake manifold as previously mentioned.

 

[macgyvr]

Trans leak appears to be the pan.
Pulled pan and I think thats a spot to leak.

Still trying to figure out the front of the motor.

Oh yeah two broken bolts getting down pipe on exhaust loose…

mac ‘5 yrs old, 25k, garage kept’ gyvr

 

[Hootbro]

Trans leak appears to be the pan.
Pulled pan and I think thats a spot to leak.

That is the old style gasket. They went to a newer style one around the 2021 and 2022 model year that is way better.

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-oil-pan-gasket-68522534aa

 

[macgyvr]

It was built 9-2019. I bought that newer style gasket and put it on the new PPE pan I bought.

Less than 4 quarts filled it up…is that right?

mac ‘upgrades’ gyvr

That is the old style gasket. They went to a newer style one around the 2021 and 2022 model year that is way better.

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-oil-pan-gasket-68522534aa

 

[Hootbro]

It was built 9-2019. I bought that newer style gasket and put it on the new PPE pan I bought.

Less than 4 quarts filled it up…is that right?

mac ‘upgrades’ gyvr

No, if following the factory fill procedure, should take around 5.5 to 6 ish quarts. 4 quarts is about just the initial fill when it dribbles out the fill hole. That is with the factory pan. PPE pan may have more capacity.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...nterval-s-on-2021-jt.47662/page-2#post-817737

Cliff Notes:

• On cold engine and transmission, fill transmission until it dribbles out.
• Run engine and transmission and right before transmission temp reaches 86F, shift transmission for a few second through all gears and in manual mode and place back in park.
• When transmission temp reaches 86F and still running, pull fill plug and add fluid until in dribbles out fill plug hole and reinstall fill plug and then you are done.

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