Antifreeze smell or leaking down bell housing. Wrangler JK 3.6 Chrysler Pentastar oil cooler 2011-16

[@adventuresoftheindian5203]

Saved me a lot of time. Couldnt figure out where I was leaking antifreeze from, as it's in such a secluded spot. THANKS!!

[@aserta]

To clean stuff fast and residue free, in the engine bay, when and where you can't dip or wash stuff, use a rag dipped in Naphtha. That stuff eats crud like nobody's business, just don't sniff it, i hear it gives lucid dreams. It's in fact, so effective, i dunked my whole offroad bike chain in a tank of the stuff, swished it around a few times and popped it clean as a newborn baby bottom. It's nothing short of amazing.

[@MotoCheez]

👍👍👍

[@Z-Bart]

@3:24 Mini say's, "Don't worry Jeep, I'll hold all your parts". :)

[@MotoCheez]

Yes, she's always helping!!! ALWAYS

[@jedsownbrew]

Good find on your 3.6. I am just adding to your find as i have a charger with the 3.6L. Started smelling antifreeze like you did, One day at a stop light steam vapor came out the back of the hood.... Thought is was a hose or the crappy plastic T fitting for the heater hose, Not so.... Oil cooler had antifreeze and oil all around it, Nice !!!. After taking it off and no hoses were bad and the T fitting was still good. I took apart the oil cooler. The O rings , And i will add there are 4 between the cooler and the plastic housing... These and the ones that go on the cooler underneath to mount to the engine... Over time they get hard from the heat in that location and no longer seal. You can buy the O rings for between the engine and oil cooler, but i haven't found the O rings between the cooler and plastic housing. Mine wasn't cracked like yours, But i have a new one on the way. My car has 214000 miles on it. Happy trails.

[@MotoCheez]

Great info. Thanks!👍👍👍

[@zackreed37]

I'm having this same problem with my 2012 Dodge Charger SE 3.6L I believe. I had to replace the oil pressure sensor about a week ago and noticed a bit of oil was accumulating in the valley, then today while taking a short drive suddenly coolant started leaking out of the back of the engine and dripping from the bell housing. White smoke was pouring out behind the car so I thought it was a bad head gasket leak at first, but then when I popped the hood I noticed the only place white smoke was coming out was under the lower intake, from the valley. I checked the heater core hoses and they all look intact, but when I fill the coolant tank I can see coolant leaking out under the oil cooler, so thanks to your video - I pretty much know where the problem is. Thank you!

[@MotoCheez]

Crazy place to put an oil cooler, right?

[@RatdogDRB]

Now comes the fun part... figuring out WHY it failed. Vibration, Temperature, Expansion/Contraction, Thin/Cheap mold, something over-torqued at the factory...? Good work finding it.

[@MotoCheez]

I'd guess the plastic gets brittle from the heat... Ty😁

[@Matbug1812]

Thin cheap plastic!! It happens all the time! Then people say "buy an OEM part". Why, The OEM one didn't last for crap!

[@MotoCheez]

Too bad they didn't make ak all aluminum part... OEM has 2 year warranty, aftermarket might be China, I didn't want to take that gamble to have it let loose offroad. 184,000 the original last

[@Matbug1812]

@@MotoCheez u have 185k on that? Wow! Keep on Jeeping!

[@MotoCheez]

@@Matbug1812 yep 😁😁😁

[@Ksys47]

I knew it as soon as I saw and heard what you are talking about. I was thinking blown head gasket because it happened right after I jumped on the throttle in a turn to swing the rear end around. It over heated and all the coolant started dumping out the back passenger side of the motor. It happened months ago but I suspected somehting elese and put some radiator stop leak in it and that worked for a bit but now when I fill the radiator when it's cold and the motor off it starts draining out the back. Thanks brother

[@bennetfox]

You had me all worried for a minute there! I thought Mini or Dumpy was sick!?!?! Also, I still have my '81 CJ5 Jeep back home. 😎

[@MotoCheez]

😁👍👍

[@regularguyfixes3142]

So this might be why we smell Lil oil and syrup smell in heat... Do you think this is where air gets into the heater core system that causes the cold air on drivers side?

[@glenbaker5311]

Thxs a million,i have been trying to find the leek in my dodge van,, driving me crazy,,old so couldn't get down to look,,, thought it mite of been a freeze plug,,,keep having fun,,gb

[@MotoCheez]

👍👍 it's a hell of a spot to look in!

[@surlyogre1476]

A. The hurrier I go, the behinder I get. 2. Don't rush me, I'm makin' mistakes as fast as I can.

[@MotoCheez]

🔥🔥🔥🔥👍👍👍

[@tkskagen]

I don't have a RUBICON, but some good Information MOTOCHEESE! Take care, 🤓 -Thomas

[@MotoCheez]

Ty, Any Chrysler Pentastar 3.6 has this.

[@nathandaniel4167]

You definitely have a gift for trouble shooting and fixing damn near anything. I'm jealous I wish I had half the knowledge you do!

[@MotoCheez]

Ty😁

[@CHS10901]

I am going to have to check this out. I have had a slow leak for a year. I finally got a pressure tester and it is running down the back of the bell housing. I was wondering if it could be a bad heater core, but I would expect that to leak out the condensate drain. Now I will jave to figure out if I want to repair it myself of do it under extended warranty, by the time I pay the deductible, it still might be cheaper to do myself.

[@MotoCheez]

I'm surprised jeep hasn't recalled this yet. It's definitely an issue

[@450slm]

MotoCheez for the win everytime. Love this guy. Thanks for the vid super informative as always

[@clyse88]

I had an oil cooler worked on years ago on my 13. Im having coolant smell and overheating. I wonder if its having an issue similar to this. I've installed a tranny cooler, radiator, pump, 3 thermo housings that broke. Still having a heat issue. Deff wondering if this was similar to this

[@corycoaxen3491]

Having a similar issue thanks for sharing

[@joebailey3007]

wish I found this video sooner , I have a 2014 jk replaced everything on cooling system , radiator, thermostat, hoses, belt, heater core , sensor and water pump. still had a small leak . Pressure tested system and it leaked down but no water showed or dripped. I gave up and took it to shop yesterday ,waiting for them to call now and tell me it is oil cooler

[@MotoCheez]

Damn. Ya

[@NO-background-music-in-videos.]

I like this.. I even liked the part of how you smoked checked that part (even though I dont approve of continued use of the smoke material)

[@MotoCheez]

Thanks!

[@BrockJaden]

Yeah, I thought that I might have a blown headgasket at first until I saw this, I had a slow coolant and oil leak for several months and then today it went crazy leaking horribly, but I couldn't see anything obvious except that it was running down the bellhousing from under the intake manifold...

[@MotoCheez]

I had a small leak for almost a year before. I finally found it.

[@aserta]

Old man Jeep, always leaking in his pants. They just wanted to continue the tradition with the newer car, make everyone feel more included. :) Top work on the troubleshooting/finding the problem.

[@MotoCheez]

No leaks again!! Not a drop

[@WEAREKJD]

Currently dealing with this on my 2012 Jeep Wrangler sport. Taking it to the dealer next week because I lack the tools and dont have the time.

[@MotoCheez]

Make sure you tell him to flush out the heater core, it ends up filled up with sand etc from the casting of the motor and if you read many of the comments a lot of the dealers don't do that and they try to do other things first that cost way more money, like change the heater core or the flap climate controls

[@austincableguy]

Nice informative video. I have a '12 JKU that over the last couple months I've noticed a coolant leak. Had the jeep in the shop last week for new gears and they told me there is coolant (pink) stains all under the jeep. I did spark plugs a few months ago, guess I'll be taking it all back apart soon to replace the oil cooler now.

[@MotoCheez]

It's a tough spot!

[@vharrald]

Hey moto, as they say, "hindsight is always 20-20". But jeep is happy you found his leak. He was probably starting to feel a little hot under the collar. Kinda like you were with your (so-called) helper (parts runner).

[@MotoCheez]

Yes! "Friend" called me at 10am and asked if I needed anything since he was going to auto parts store.. I said sure, told him what I was doing and what I needed. Hours later I said had to get cooler at dealer which is in town, he said has parts will meet me back at house (2pm) so got my parts, put them in and tried contacting him and no answer, so finally at 7pm I called for coil packs, one place had 2, another place in NY had 1. Sent my kid to NY, I went to town, got mine met back at house and NY gave my kid wrong coil pack!!! So yeah, I was a bit twisted 😁

[@vharrald]

@@MotoCheez did you go back and get the right coil pack yet?

[@MotoCheez]

Yes!

[@vharrald]

@@MotoCheez did you ever get a chance to watch musti 1 on KZbin yet moto? He's nearby you in new Hampshire.

[@MotoCheez]

Yes, he's got some good content!!👍👍

[@danmulkiewicz5515]

FWIW, Dorman now makes an Aluminum lower kit for these coolers now. Basically you buy the cast aluminum lower kit from them (comes with upper and lower plenum seals too!) and you transfer the metal upper cooler, sensors etc to the lower. Good stuff. About to install one on my 2017 JKU and hopefully it will be the last time for a while unless the seals go (which I think the newer seals are better quality now. I guess we will see).

[@MotoCheez]

That's awesome! Should have been aluminum from factory.

[@MotoCheez]

KZbin don't like links.. it deleted comment. Send to me and I can post it. [e-mail]. Thanks

[@Brother_Lander]

I installed one on mine 2 days ago. I thought it was the answer to all my problems. Finished the job, turned the jeep on...coolant pouring down under the jeep. Went back in today to see where the coolant was coming from, everything was tight and torqued to spec...still pouring coolant. Now I gotta spend a grand+ at the stealership. Smh

[@danmulkiewicz5515]

@@Brother_Lander sorry to hear that Shane. I've had mine in for a couple months now without any issues.

[@MotoCheez]

Damn .. something not sealed apparently

[@righteous1229]

HELPFUL VIDEO!!!!

[@dmzflightmedic]

I ordered and received delivery my Wifes 2014 Grand Cherokee in 2013 and I was smelling antifreeze when it was two years old but could not find the leak. As the years went by I would find quarter sized spots in the driveway but never could find the leak. This year, 2019 the housing really failed and the quarter sized spot became 12". I had that damned thing replaced at Jeep and I am still slowly loosing coolant (no spots in the driveway) Really pisses me off, as we have owned 13 Jeeps (still have 3) and the most problematic is the newest of them all.

[@dmzflightmedic]

Less than 93k miles

[@MotoCheez]

It's definitely a weak point. It should be recalled! I have almost 200,000 miles and that's the only big issue I've had with my JKU... The old 4.0L I line 6 was the best ever

[@dmzflightmedic]

MotoCheez AMEN! Still have my 04’ Rubicon, no problems

[@MotoCheez]

@@dmzflightmedic I have an old 4.2 CJ still going strong too

[@glengarland1047]

Well done, sir. This finally explains why I was smelling coolant every few days. Can I convince you to move to WA and move in next-door?

[@MotoCheez]

Awesome!👍🤣🤣 Wisconsin too cold!

[@Matbug1812]

Good info Cheez! Nice smoke machine, btw! Can he smoke evap systems?

[@MotoCheez]

Haha. I bet he can

[@danielfisch655]

Nice job, thank you for sharing.

[@MotoCheez]

TY

[@working2bselfsufficient724]

Probably why my jku is dumping all the coolant out (same place running down from top of bell housing) but I cannot for the life of me find out where it's coming from. Now I have a good idea💡

[@MotoCheez]

It's a tough spot

[@working2bselfsufficient724]

@@MotoCheez Yup I got the intake halfway apart going to finishing disassembly tomorrow. Thanks for the video.

[@sneaker_d0n939]

I just upgraded the oil cooler on mine to the fully metal one and am having this problem

[@MotoCheez]

Still leaking?

[@Gatorman6924]

God I have been stumped where antifreeze was coming from. Damn that looks like it.

[@MotoCheez]

I was too until it started leaking bad.

[@donnietirril482]

I’m having the same problem

[@johnwicked9301]

I’m having the same problem my jk it’s at the dealership right now. But they cant find the leak. All those technicians are part changers nothing more.

[@MotoCheez]

Sadly that's what most have become.... Parts changers.

[@johnwicked9301]

@@MotoCheez so you were leaking oil or coolant. And was you problems fixed after replacing that part.

[@MotoCheez]

Mine was leaking antifreeze, I've heard some had oil leaking from it too. Yes that fixed it 100%

[@johnwicked9301]

@@MotoCheez thank you

[@johnwicked9301]

I got my jk back and they replaced the radiator cap. And it’s keeping the coolant label for now.

[@goofyleo3869]

1st? (edit*) You get the green drips in the snow underneath from AC dye like our Jeeps do?

[@MotoCheez]

2nd...😁

[@MotoCheez]

No, I never have that

[@ffc3476]

Great job

[@MotoCheez]

TY 👍👍

[@reinaldoromero25]

Just happene to my 21 wrangler 7000 miles they had to replace

[@MotoCheez]

Damn

[@judgejury3230]

Changed mine out. It started leaking again. I'm thinking mine is a hose

[@MotoCheez]

My sons is starting to leak a little in his. The whole country is sold out and backordered on the oils coolers! Even the dealers I smell a recall soon??

[@judgejury3230]

@@MotoCheez I changed mine and the seals came with it. It started leaking again (after about two weeks). I'm thinking mine are hoses.

[@MotoCheez]

Hopefully!

[@sessionstu]

I didn't know coolant was cycled throught the oil cooler.

[@MotoCheez]

Yes, to cooltge oil!

[@leonardwalters154]

Parts runners like that, you might end up broke , I'm glad my old truck doesn't have that part, especially in that spot looks like a royal pain to find

[@MotoCheez]

Yeah.. I wasn't happy.. was real tough to find for sure

[@Takiscertified]

Is there a link for those upper and lower seals ?

[@MotoCheez]

No. They were included in the oil cooler kit

[@Angel_the_Bunny]

Should have just called me, I could have brought those parts over to you quicker.

[@MotoCheez]

That's a fact!

[@chrissipoohster]

Got mine fixed in October and its leaking again!

[@MotoCheez]

No way!

[@chrissipoohster]

@@MotoCheez Something is causing the problem

[@MotoCheez]

@@chrissipoohster originally the plastic becomes brittle and cracks. Maybe a failed oring?

[@lawrencemiller2379]

That look like the problem Mike.

[@captaincaveman00]

Whats up anti freeze leak

[@MotoCheez]

Gurgle gurgle

[@sal.m2A]

whoa oh oh

[@Motorider2018]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MotoCheez]

👍

[@sal.m2A]

Shoulda supercharged it

[@MotoCheez]

185,000 miles.... I don't know...

[@gmjunky87]

That's a strange place to mount an oil cooler haha.

[@MotoCheez]

Agreed... wtf

[@ironwolfF1]

Heh... the "Unreliable One" just earned themselves a lump of coal for Christmas, right? ;-) P.S. -- And, contrary to current societal norms, cigarette smoke saves the day! ;-p

[@MotoCheez]

184,000 not so easy miles, rough offroading, I'd say she's still doing good! Haha. Yes, cig smoke saves the day!

[@matthall9352]

Meep meep

[@MotoCheez]

Meep!

[@lawrencemiller2379]

I heard that..sounds like the road runner.

[@MotoCheez]

😂👍👍

[@tibroc1]

60 bucks off Amazon and it come with all new gaskets

[@MotoCheez]

That's pretty good deal, when I got mine it was back ordered I paid like $120 bucks

[@tareksalah7103]

Hi

[@MotoCheez]

Hello!

[@wmc128]

just buy a smoke machine to look for leaks and cracked seals.

[@MotoCheez]

Coolant goes thru there. Didn't leak until hot, under the intake I wouldn't have seen it I don't think

[@MrJamie198]

I'm working on one now the amount of dumb engineering that's done on this set up is insane they can't make anything simple can they 🙄

[@MotoCheez]

Agreed, saved my receipt in case it's ever recalled. It should be!

[@Jim_woods]

Beep

[@MotoCheez]

Haha. 1st again!!

[@1ironbelle]

I really wanted to watch this video but the back and forth movement made me dizzy. It's great information but the video going back, forth, up and down is too much. :(

[@MotoCheez]

It is a lot of movement sometimes....

[@starksful]

Could this be my problem on my 07 jk? @motocheez

[@MotoCheez]

The 07 3.8 did not have the oil cooler under intake manifold. I believe it's behind the oil filter on them

[@starksful]

@@MotoCheez could it be the same issue? This thing is driving me nuts!

[@MotoCheez]

Losing antifreeze?

[@starksful]

@@MotoCheez yes sir, losing antifreeze and strong coolant smell. No noticeable leaks or corrosion anywhere that I can see.

[@MotoCheez]

Check the oil cooler behind oil filter I think it is