Noticed a small leak while changing oil. Are these plugs able to come out and replaced

[LiftedrubiconJT]

So while I was changing my oil I noticed it was wet around one of these plugs and one was somewhat pushed out . Barely anything coming out as there was no loss of oil and I don’t see it leaking on garage floor. Can you buy these and replace or is it a difficult fix?

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[dos0711]

Those aren't really sealing anything in. If they are leaking oil it's because something above them is leaking oil. Rear main seal or oil cooler.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Those aren't really sealing anything in. If they are leaking oil it's because something above them is leaking oil. Rear main seal or oil cooler.

What he said ^^^

This simply keep water and dirt out of stuff up above.
There's NO oil or fluid up there. It's empty dry space.
If you see oil - it's not a good sign, it's a bad sign. Maybe it is coming out because of oil causing that rubber plug to swell.
Should be dry as a bone up there.

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

Thanks guys. I will have to check everything out. It must have just started happening. I just changed my oil less than 2 months ago. It’s not leaking enough to get on garage floor. Maybe it was from me spilling oil last change. I will have to keep an eye on it. I noticed there’s oil down the side of the engine on that one side

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks guys. I will have to check everything out. It must have just started happening. I just changed my oil less than 2 months ago. It’s not leaking enough to get on garage floor. Maybe it was from me spilling oil last change. I will have to keep an eye on it. I noticed there’s oil down the side of the engine on that one side

Valve cover leaks are a known issue on these. Oil leaking from the top can get into the joint between engine block and transmission and seep down and to those rubber plugs.
Good to keep an eye on it

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

Valve cover leaks are a known issue on these. Oil leaking from the top can get into the joint between engine block and transmission and seep down and to those rubber plugs.
Good to keep an eye on it

It looks like my passenger side valve cover sensor is leaking

 

[KrashEd]

If you spilled enough oil in the intake valley while changing your oil, it will seep down from the top of the engine to those plugs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Baffles me sometimes how oil gets spilled when the fill hole is large and accessible, and most of us have funnels.
If one is even 1% careful, not a drop of oil should touch the engine.
But it apparently happens. So, just be aware a tablespoon of oil can cover a lot of area and make a mess.
That's the joint between engine block and transmission and liquids will tend to follow that line or even wick into the joint and follow it down.
In this case, if there's a leaking valve cover (not uncommon on these) that's also a likely reason for oil down there.

 

[KrashEd]

Baffles me sometimes how oil gets spilled when the fill hole is large and accessible, and most of us have funnels.
If one is even 1% careful, not a drop of oil should touch the engine.
But it apparently happens. So, just be aware a tablespoon of oil can cover a lot of area and make a mess.
That's the joint between engine block and transmission and liquids will tend to follow that line or even wick into the joint and follow it down.
In this case, if there's a leaking valve cover (not uncommon on these) that's also a likely reason for oil down there.

Yea, spills happen, just need to clean the valley and keep an eye on it before assuming the worst. I've seen everything from people filling the oil thru the coolant reservoir to using the oil pan as a jacking point, so nothing surprises me at this point.

 

[Sandevino]

Yea, spills happen, just need to clean the valley and keep an eye on it before assuming the worst. I've seen everything from people filling the oil thru the coolant reservoir to using the oil pan as a jacking point, so nothing surprises me at this point.

After 20+ years in HD diesel repair, I could write a book…

 

[Labswine]

More than likely, it's the the oil filter housing which is plastic, and has cracked. They are known to crack and leak oil. There is a metal replacement available (don't know the name of it but a search should turn it up).

I know this because I had the exact same problem with my '19 Grand Cherokee Ltd. with the 3.6L Pentastar. It was doing it's Harley impersonation all over the place. The leaking oil collects in the valley then starts dribbling anywhere it can get out.

It's not a cheap repair. Mine was over $1,000 and most of it was labor because of where the oil filter housing is located.

I'm watching my Gladiator for this closely as it's coming up on the mileage that my GC was at when it's housing decided to crap out on me. Now, knowing there's a metal replacement for it, if (and that's a HUGE IF) mine, in my JT, goes then I'll definitely go with getting the metal replacement part instead of the factory plastic one.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Our JLU 4xe is the first Jeep we've ever owned that had any type of a leak. My 20 stayed dry top and bottom, bumper to bumper to 27,000 miles when I traded it. So far the 22 is staying bone dry everywhere
The JLU is leaking AGAIN from the rear of the transmission pan - found out it's a fair issue with those transmissions. People are getting them fixed either with a pan replacement or a transmission replacement (depending on the dealer)
Still, knowing the valve cover and filter areas are the places where these leak if they are going to is something to watch more than I normally might.
21 and 22 model years - don't let the dealer replace only the valve cover gasket to fix a leak - there's a TSB that says there's a redesigned cover to take care of leak issues and the leak will likely return if only the gasket is replaced.

 

[JTenn]

More than likely, it's the the oil filter housing which is plastic, and has cracked. They are known to crack and leak oil. There is a metal replacement available (don't know the name of it but a search should turn it up).

I know this because I had the exact same problem with my '19 Grand Cherokee Ltd. with the 3.6L Pentastar. It was doing it's Harley impersonation all over the place. The leaking oil collects in the valley then starts dribbling anywhere it can get out.

It's not a cheap repair. Mine was over $1,000 and most of it was labor because of where the oil filter housing is located.

I'm watching my Gladiator for this closely as it's coming up on the mileage that my GC was at when it's housing decided to crap out on me. Now, knowing there's a metal replacement for it, if (and that's a HUGE IF) mine, in my JT, goes then I'll definitely go with getting the metal replacement part instead of the factory plastic one.

This is the Dorman I bought to replace the oem plastic one. Haven't replaced it yet but I have it on the shelf for when the time comes.
https://www.autozone.com/filters-an...dorman-oil-filter-adapter-926-959/1219309_0_0

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is the Dorman I bought to replace the oem plastic one. Haven't replaced it yet but I have it on the shelf for when the time comes.
https://www.autozone.com/filters-an...dorman-oil-filter-adapter-926-959/1219309_0_0

You probably mean for when yours cracks and there's none to be found anywhere because they are all on back-order.....

 

[JTenn]

You probably mean for when yours cracks and there's none to be found anywhere because they are all on back-order.....

Exactly!!

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