Oil cooler replacement...

[Jeeper6]

I am going to have the oil cooler replaced next week as a part of my ongoing "preventative maintenance" program. Jeeps done 150,000kms now.

I had to replace the oil cooler on my previous Jeep as it sprung a leak at 173,000kms. At the time it did that I had been on the beach and did thump the front end pretty heavily on an unseen pot hole...It had oil in the coolant the following day. I bought a genuine complete oil cooler and mounting plate assembly to replace that one, this time I am having just the cooler itself replaced.

Anyways...I do have an oil cooler and gasket on hand that I got from below supplier a while back, I took that with me on the lap last year "just in case". I don't want to use that one, it is for emergency use only as I really do not know how good it is.

Just throwing it out there, has anybody replaced the oil cooler with a cooler from Parts Centre in Melbourne through EBay ...or where have did you buy the replacement?
https://www.ebay.com.au/str/premiumautopartscentre

[Mousie]

I just used an ebay one but from a regular jeep supplier in Australia as they use ebay as well. Then looked at the quality and possibly the same as mopar or not as you cant see inside properly. However, I would have no hesitation using an ebay one if what arrives looks to be OEM. The bottom line I have taken advice from others is not to replace prematurely with an unknown but as you are over 173K, I would be doing the same as it will refresh the oil and coolant seal itself. I think I purchased from the place you are referring to. Very happy with what arrived in post.

[drover]

All these alloy oil coolers have failures, I think it pot luck really on how good the casting is, its either Chinese or Polish .

The bit that scares me is if the new seals are fitted properly or not ...................

Will add that mob to my list i think.............

[IFLYRC]

Hi Team

Thanks for the post.

This link only shows the cooler https://www.ebay.com.au/str/premiumautopartscentre

Is it necessary to replace the whole unit, including the filter housing? I see on Rockauto that the complete unit is shown

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=2084&jsn=448

Cheers

Eddie

[Jeeper6]

Originally Posted by Mousie

I just used an ebay one but from a regular jeep supplier in Australia as they use ebay as well. Then looked at the quality and possibly the same as mopar or not as you cant see inside properly. However, I would have no hesitation using an ebay one if what arrives looks to be OEM. The bottom line I have taken advice from others is not to replace prematurely with an unknown but as you are over 173K, I would be doing the same as it will refresh the oil and coolant seal itself. I think I purchased from the place you are referring to. Very happy with what arrived in post.

Thanks Mousie...I have a thing about ebay I guess, but can't say I have read anywhere of some one having a drama with these coolers as a replacement.

The one I bought previously and have here looks exactly the same as the OEM...probably is made by the same crowd in reality...
I reckon I’ll grab one, the site says they have sold 51 of them so there are obviously a few in use.

As you note too drover, the fitment of the gasket is a big concern, has to be done properly or it will leak. I often wonder if the leaking oil cooler issue is more a gasket failure than the actual cooler failing?
It’ll be the guys at 7 Slot doing mine again this time.

IFLYRC…I replaced the whole lot last time, the support bracket and the cooler, was all I could buy at short notice at the time...just the actual oil cooler itself with a new gasket is usually all that needs doing…

[IFLYRC]

Thanks Jeeper6!

[drover]

The official fix is replace the whole lot, probably quicker to do and they make more money from it................. from reports on AJOR I would repair the assemnly on the bench though to make sure all seals are in their proper location .... Had a listing for a place in Melbourne for parts like this but they seem to have closed...

I have read reports of the seal failing, possibly from improper fitment but these units fail in many CRD's, the MB in the WG was known for it, bad casting, so as I said before pot luck, even the 8HP70 alloy casing has had a few bad casts and they leaked, not common but it has happened, can't recall which vehicles though ............. Many WGs were getting theirs swapped out but I looked at that mine is okay so far, the replacement is an unknown quanity ........ and doing my own servicing I knew the state, type of coolant used, no top ups of water, have wondered if electrolisis is part of the cause as well, something that has caused a number of coolant eating things on modern engines....