Mercedes Mullins
The Pentastar engine is a powerful V6 engine found in thousands of Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and RAM vehicles worldwide. However, one of its most common issues is a leaking oil filter housing, which can lead to costly repairs. This problem is attributed to the housing's plastic construction, which becomes brittle over time due to repeated heat cycles. As a result, even minor torque during an oil change can crack the housing. To address this issue, companies like Scott's U-Save and Mishimoto offer aluminum oil filter housing kits that provide a robust alternative to the stock plastic housing, ensuring leak-free reliability and peace of mind for vehicle owners.
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What You'll Learn
Oil filter housing leaks
The oil filter housing on the 3.6L Pentastar engine from Chrysler is prone to leaking. This is due to a design flaw: the housing is made of plastic, which sees a good amount of heat while the engine is running. When the engine is off, the housing cools down to the ambient temperature. Over time, the plastic housing and the aluminium engine block experience thermal cycling and expand and contract at different rates. The gasket between the two components is overworked, leading to leaks.
This issue is common, as the engine is very popular. Since its debut in 2010, over 10 million vehicles on the road have been fitted with this engine. Common vehicles with this engine include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Chrysler Pacifica, Grand Caravan, Town and Country, Dodge Journey, Durango, and Ram 1500-ProMaster.
Leaking oil filter housings can lead to catastrophic engine failure if left unattended. To prevent this, it is recommended to replace the oil filter housing with an upgraded aluminium housing. This can cost around $800.
When replacing the oil filter housing, the fuel rails and injectors should be disconnected, but they do not need to be removed. The manifold can be lifted out after disconnecting it, as it is mainly held in by bolts. Once the manifold is removed, the oil filter housing can be unbolted and taken out. Transfer the sensors and oil cooler to the new aluminium version, using the supplied o-rings. Clean any debris or fluid, then reinstall the new oil filter housing assembly, manifolds, air intake, and engine cover. Reconnect the battery and start the car, checking for leaks.
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Oil filter housing design flaws
The Pentastar engine is a popular engine that has been in use since 2010 or 2011. It is found in thousands of Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and RAM vehicles. The oil filter housing on the 3.6 Pentastar engine is prone to cracking and leaking, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure. This is a known design flaw, and there are a few reasons why it occurs.
Firstly, the oil filter housing is made of plastic, which sees a significant amount of heat while the engine is running. Over time, the plastic becomes brittle and can crack, even with the slightest amount of torque on the filter cap during an oil change. The housing is mounted onto the engine block, which is made of cast aluminum. During thermal cycling, the plastic and aluminum expand and contract at different rates, causing the gasket between them to work harder as the gap between the two pieces changes. This eventually leads to leaks.
Additionally, the location of the oil filter housing makes it difficult to identify and diagnose leaks. The oil filter housing is underneath the intake manifold, so oil leaks can look like a failed rear-main seal, costing thousands in parts and labor without fixing the actual problem.
To address this issue, some companies offer aluminum oil filter housing kits as a replacement for the stock plastic housing. These kits include the housing, oil filter, filter cap, gaskets, and other necessary components. Upgrading to an aluminum housing can help prevent leaks and ensure peace of mind for vehicle owners.
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Oil filter housing repairs
The oil filter housing on the Pentastar engine is known for its high failure rate. The housing is made of plastic, which is exposed to a lot of heat while the engine is running. Over time, the plastic housing undergoes thermal cycling, expanding and contracting at a different rate from the cast aluminium engine block it is mounted on. This causes the gasket between the two components to fail, leading to oil leaks.
While Chrysler has denied that the problem lies with the oil filter housing itself, blaming the leaks on failing o-rings instead, many technicians disagree. They attribute the leaks to a design flaw, with the plastic housing being a weak point in the system. As such, they recommend replacing the OE plastic housing with an upgraded aluminium housing to prevent future leaks. This solution has proven effective, with few reports of leaks reoccurring after the upgrade.
If you are experiencing an oil leak on a Pentastar engine, it is recommended to take your vehicle to a skilled technician for diagnosis and repair. The process of repairing or replacing the oil filter housing is intricate and requires expertise to ensure a correct installation. The repair typically involves the following steps:
- Disconnect the fuel rails and injectors, and unbolt the manifold, which is mainly held in by bolts.
- Remove the old oil filter housing from the engine, taking note of the sensors and oil cooler attached to it.
- Transfer the sensors and oil cooler to the new aluminium housing, ensuring the use of new o-rings.
- Clean the area of any debris or fluid, and install the new oil filter housing assembly, following the reverse steps of removal.
- Reinstall the intake manifold, air intake, and engine cover.
- Reconnect the battery and start the car, checking for any remaining leaks.
It is worth noting that the oil filter housing is located under the intake manifold, which must be removed to access the housing. This adds to the labour involved in the repair process. Additionally, the intake gasket will need to be replaced, as these are designed for one-time use.
To summarise, while the Pentastar engine has gained a reputation for oil filter housing leaks, the issue can be effectively addressed by upgrading to an aluminium housing. This repair requires skilled technicians and involves several steps to ensure a correct installation. Regular oil changes and inspections can also help identify any potential issues early on, preventing catastrophic engine failure.
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Oil filter housing replacement parts
The oil filter housing on the 3.6L Pentastar engine from Chrysler is known to be prone to cracking and leaking. This is due to the weak plastic material used in its construction, which can become brittle over time from repeated heat cycles. As a result, one of the most common issues with this engine is a leaking oil filter housing.
When replacing the oil filter housing, it is recommended to upgrade to an aluminum housing to prevent future leaks. This is a more durable material that can withstand the heat and thermal cycling better than plastic.
Several companies offer aluminum oil filter housing kits for the 3.6L Pentastar engine, including Mishimoto and Dorman. These kits typically include all the necessary components for a successful replacement, such as gaskets, fasteners, O-rings, and sometimes even a new oil filter.
The replacement process involves unbolting the old oil filter housing and removing it from the engine. The sensors and oil cooler are then transferred to the new aluminum housing, ensuring the use of new O-rings. The area is cleaned, and the new housing is installed, followed by the intake manifold, air intake, and engine cover. Finally, the battery is reconnected, and the vehicle is checked for any remaining leaks.
It is important to consult a qualified technician or a trusted auto repair shop, such as Scott's U-Save, to ensure a correct diagnosis and proper replacement of the oil filter housing.
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Oil filter housing location
The oil filter housing on the 3.6 Pentastar engine is located between the left and right cylinder banks on top of the V. This location means that leaking oil and coolant will often pool up on the engine instead of spilling onto the ground right away. This design flaw causes the oil filter housing to leak. The gasket between the plastic housing and the aluminium engine block is tasked with accommodating the different expansion and contraction rates of the two materials, which is a difficult job.
The oil filter housing contains the oil filter, sensors, and a heat exchanger to help cool the oil. The plastic housing is prone to cracking and leaking, which can lead to engine failure. This is due to the weak plastic material used by Chrysler, which has never been updated. The housing becomes brittle after repeated heat cycles, and even a small amount of torque on the filter cap can cause the housing to crack.
To replace the oil filter housing, the fuel rails and injectors should be disconnected, and the manifold lifted out. The old housing can then be unbolted and removed, and the sensors and oil cooler transferred to the new housing.
Aftermarket replacement units often come without the necessary parts, requiring the technician to transfer coolant fittings and sensors, which can be damaged in the process. However, some companies now offer complete oil filter housing kits that include all necessary parts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pentastar fuel filter is located inside the oil filter housing.
The oil filter housing is made of plastic.
The plastic housing becomes brittle over time due to repeated heat cycles. This can cause the housing to crack and leak oil.
You can replace the plastic housing with an aluminum housing, which is stronger and won't become brittle over time.
