The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club Forums banner

Please post if you have had an oil leak on your 2014 3.6L Pentastar V6

1 reading
287K views 484 replies 140 participants last post by  Candygirl71  
#1 ·
For 2014, Chrysler made a change to a part called the "oil filter adapter" which sits on top of the engine, under the intake manifold. There are now a parade of people with various Chrysler vehicles that use the 3.6L reporting that the new part cracks, causing a major oil leak, potentially a fire, and can cause your engine to be drained of all oil.

If you have had an oil leak, and the dealership told you the issue was the oil filter adapter, the oil cooler or the oil cooler cover, post up here. We are going top try to get pressure on Chrysler to at least redesign the part.

Part number is 68105583AA and it applies only to 2014 3.6L Chrysler V6 engines, at least so far. Similar issues have been reported with the new 3.2L V6 used in the Cherokee, but it apparently has a different part number.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Welcome to the site.
I don't think we will see you around here too much huh?

Since a quick Google of "68105583AA leaks" comes up with 2 Jeep sites and a Dodge site reporting problems.
All of the threads were started by a member named "CO-UTAH" :eekkkk:
 
#449 · (Edited by Moderator)
If 3.6L minivan owners report the problem here, it is a way for people to know that this is a known issue with ALL 2014 3.6L Pentastar vehicles. I doubt most minivan owners would look at a Wrangler or Challenger site for this information.

Makes sense?
I have a 2014 Dodge grand Caravan. I take all of my vehicles to one local mechanic. When i found the stain under the car they charged me $60 to find the issue and told me it was the oil filter housing. They changed the oil less than a month before. They then wanted to charge me $1,200 to fix it.
I am looking for the part for a 2014 but am only able to find it at O'Reilly, auto zone, Advance . Rock Auto is out of stock. Does anyone know another reliable quality part company I can use?

thank you for your help.
 
#4 ·
Sure that makes sense
Do you have a 2014 3.6L?
If so, what vehicle is it in?
 
#5 ·
I have a 2014 Jeep Wrangler with the 3.6L, and I had the crack in the "oil filter adapter" at about 12,000 miles. The dealer fixed it under warranty with the same part number.

Reports are slowly coming in from more people having this issue. Most are Wranglers, but also Durangos, and even the 3.2L in the new Cherokee, which has the identical design flaw, apparently.

We'll have to see if this issue gets bigger as time goes on.
 
#6 ·
This site has a huge following of 3.6 minivan owners, but maybe not so many with 2014's yet, with the new style filter. I have less than 4000 miles on mine, have not had 1st oil change yet. I already have the Mopar filter purchased as I will changing it myself. I will be carefully not to over tighten or jostle the plastic filter cover over the adapter when I do so.
 
#7 ·
Since I am a new 2014 GC owner I would like to revive this old thread versus starting a new one.

I read the entire 25+ page thread over on WranglerForum about this issue...whew! It seems like those wrangler owners have a nightmare on their hands. I will absolutely use my torque wrench to tighten, as I have always done with my 2013.

Since its been over a year now, any owners experience this issue yet?
 
#8 ·
Our '14 has had a handful of oil changes. I haven't noticed any issues with it yet. I'll take a close look next time, if I remember. It won't be due for an oil change for another few/several thousand miles.

Got a link the Wrangler forum thread? I'd like to check it out.
 
#9 ·
#13 ·
I changed my oil last night since its been 6 months since the dealer changed it after they bought the van from auction (its only been driven 500 miles). Those d@mn lube techs tightened the oil filter cap incredibly tight! Argh! Steady even pressure and it broke loose...I checked down in the valley and no leaks. You can clearly see the two circles where the leaks apparently occur and from the looks of it mine has the updated part already installed (has what looks like excess glue/adhesive around the larger of the two circles). I watched for any movement on the filter housing when I was loosening it and it barely moved.

Installed the new filter (which I see has a larger green o-ring compared to the MO-349 I removed) into the filter cap first. It snaps into the cap and can spin freely similar to the 2011-2013 filter cap. I know some posts in the wrangler forum thread say to insert the filter into the housing first then put on the cap...this didn't seem like the correct procedure to me, take your pick I guess. Installed to 25 nM and everything is working great so far with no leaks.

I am using PYB 5w30 for this run. Oil pressure is the same. Speaking of pressure...on initial start up should pressure spike to 80-90 psi for at least 2-3 minutes during city driving? After that time period I'm back down to 30-40 psi...???
 
#14 ·
The oil pressure reading you are seeing are similar to mine.
The oil runs very warm in these engine so until it gets warms up, the pressure will be fairly high.

PS: any reason you went with 5w-30 and not 5w-20?
 
#15 ·
Good to know about the pressure, thanks for the heads up...had me a bit worried at first.

I am sticking with 5w30 mainly because the fact that the 3.6L was spec'd originally that way from the factory in 2011. Why they choose to move down to 5w20 in 2014 is beyond me...more CAFE pushback...? The only design change that I am aware of is the head update, other than that its the same engine...no? I will gladly give up "1-2" mpg for "better" protection (IMO). After this cleaning run of PYB, I will switch to PP 5w30 in Sept/Oct and stick with that. The 2013 gets PP 5w30 as well. Again, I don't have any scientific data that supports that my choice of 5w30 will protect better than the similar 5w20...I just choose to run a 30.
 
#16 ·
2014 GC RT - 42000km, changed oil, leaked the next trip the wife made to town...profusely! Just barely any oil on the dipstick when she stopped the engine. I topped it up, ran it, no leak until it warmed up, severe leak! Towed to dealer, they tried to say it was the o ring flattened out when I installed the new filter. They installed a new one, shampooed the mess from underneath and found the same leak. Waiting on a "NEW" filter housing to come in from the factory as it seems they have obviously had issues with this for some time now. Note: I tightened the cap by hand until tight, then a slight bump with a ratchet every time I've changed the oil. Same as the fuel filter on my 2012 cummins. I hate plastic parts that are engine mounted, poor engineering decision if you ask me.
 
#17 ·
Holy smokes!

This must be the first instance we've heard of from a van with this issue...?

The o-ring "flattening out" is a lame excuse. Glad they are ordering you a new housing though. Like I said before, when I changed the oil on my '14 last month I was meticulous knowing the horror story that could ensue. 25 nM with a torque wrench and she's good.

Keep us updated on the outcome!:thumb:
 
#21 ·
Definitely a poor redesign, only happening on 2014's and later. I trust myself over dealer or independent lube shops when it comes to oil/filter changes, but it seems if plastic part fails, and oil change wasn't done at dealer, you're screwed.
 
#22 ·
Wow! I would not have paid that bill...did you bring in the Service Manager? Did they explain this BEFORE they completed the repair and showed you the bill? This seems like it might fester into a wide spread issue now that the 2014's have been in service for at least a year now. :jpshakehe
 
#23 ·
I own a Jeep shop we have changed the oil on several late model Wranglers and we have never had or seen this issue. We always use a torque wrench - the spec is made into the casting on the top portion of the oil filter housing that gets removed. Also make sure that you replace the O rings- we only use OEM filters from the dealer
good practice is to run the engine for a minute and watch for leaks at the oil filter housing before giving it the thumbs up
 
#24 ·
It already is a wide spread issue with the Jeeps, I'm only a bit relieved that this problem is rare on this minivan forum. 2 self oil changes so far, I leave my filter cover on the loose side, barely hand tight. It was still hard to break it free this last oil change though. I can only imagine how tight some un-knowing lube techs must make it.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Actually I do remember seeing something in the Chrysler system awhile back about them changing the oil filters to a new part number and design I did not read it much. We still have not experienced the issue first hand but I did look and there is a recent TSB in the system



3.6L Oil Loss Diagnostic Aid
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves additional information on oil loss.
MODELS:
2014 (RT) 2014 (JS)
2014 (JC) 2014 (LX) 2014 (LD) 2014 (WK) 2014 (WD) 2014 (JK) 2014 (DS) 2014 (LC) 2014 (DX)
Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan
Chrysler 200 Dodge Avenger
Dodge Journey Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Jeep Grand Cherokee Dodge Durango
Jeep Wrangler
Ram 1500 Pickup Dodge Challenger Ram Truck (Mexico)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: NAFTA.
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before January 20, 2014 (MDH 0120XX) equipped 3.6L Engine (Sales Codes ERB).
NUMBER: 09-008-15 GROUP: Engine
DATE: August 07, 2015

09-008-15 -2-
DISCUSSION:
The customer may describe any of the following: oil loss, low oil, oil weep or oil consumption. Before performing normal diagnostics, check for oil pooling in the engine valley (under the lower intake). This area may hold almost a quart of oil and not show any signs of oil weeping. It may be hard to visually inspect this area. Using a long wood dowel, insert it into the engine valley in front of or next to the oil filter housing, until the dowel bottoms out on the floor of the valley. Remove the dowel and check if there is about 10 mm (0.39 inch) of oil covering the tip of the dowel. If oil is found to be pooling in this area, the Oil Filter Housing may need to be replaced.
NOTE: A small amount of oil may be found on the tip of the dowel. During an oil change some oil may drip from the oil filter into the valley. No parts should be replaced for this condition.
POLICY:
Information Only
 
#26 ·
Actually I do remember seeing something in the Chrysler system awhile back about them changing the oil filters to a new part number and design I did not read it much. We still have not experienced the issue first hand but I did look and there is a recent TSB in the system



3.6L Oil Loss Diagnostic Aid
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves additional information on oil loss.
MODELS:
2014 (RT) 2014 (JS)
2014 (JC) 2014 (LX) 2014 (LD) 2014 (WK) 2014 (WD) 2014 (JK) 2014 (DS) 2014 (LC) 2014 (DX)
Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan
Chrysler 200 Dodge Avenger
Dodge Journey Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Jeep Grand Cherokee Dodge Durango
Jeep Wrangler
Ram 1500 Pickup Dodge Challenger Ram Truck (Mexico)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: NAFTA.
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before January 20, 2014 (MDH 0120XX) equipped 3.6L Engine (Sales Codes ERB).
NUMBER: 09-008-15 GROUP: Engine
DATE: August 07, 2015

09-008-15 -2-
DISCUSSION:
The customer may describe any of the following: oil loss, low oil, oil weep or oil consumption. Before performing normal diagnostics, check for oil pooling in the engine valley (under the lower intake). This area may hold almost a quart of oil and not show any signs of oil weeping. It may be hard to visually inspect this area. Using a long wood dowel, insert it into the engine valley in front of or next to the oil filter housing, until the dowel bottoms out on the floor of the valley. Remove the dowel and check if there is about 10 mm (0.39 inch) of oil covering the tip of the dowel. If oil is found to be pooling in this area, the Oil Filter Housing may need to be replaced.
NOTE: A small amount of oil may be found on the tip of the dowel. During an oil change some oil may drip from the oil filter into the valley. No parts should be replaced for this condition.
POLICY:
Information Only
 
#28 ·
"This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before January 20, 2014" I'm guessing they corrected the defect after that date. Of course my 2014 was built before that date, so in the future if the part fails, I will have to pay for the repair even though they know there's a problem. I love the last part: POLICY:
Information Only

I guess that means you're SOL.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Okay weird, I'm bringing the wife's 2013 Grand Caranvan SXT in for the THIRD time in two weeks to get this looked at and hopefully fixed. We've had the van for a year, zero oil leaks, brought it into dealer for oil change and after it was leaking badly, returned next day and they claimed "oil filter adapter" had leak and replaced it under warranty. Oil was still leaking badly that night, this time took to a different dealership and they claim oil cooler has leak and replaced that. Now the leak is far less, before it would leave several golf ball or bigger marks on the cardboard I put down, now there was one or two nickel/quarter sized marks. It's going back in tomorrow. Is there a chance the oil I saw this morning after the van sat all night was simply residual oil left over from the previous leak making its way out from nooks and crannies? Very frustrating.
 
#36 ·
Hi Linuxos77,

I'm very sorry to hear about this experience. Keep us posted on the outcome and please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you!
 
#30 ·
Its possible you are seeing the residual leakage dripping off the motor. Where you want to look though is down in the valley below the oil filter housing. There is a very pronounced valley that will collect oil if in fact the oil filter adapter/cooler was cracked. Being that both were replaced you would think the tech would have cleaned up that area...one could only guess though.

Let us know what they find tomorrow...
 
#31 ·
you would think, but these days of rushed jobs, no one is going to clean-up collected oil on an engine