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Engine Oil Cooler

5.7K views 24 replies 18 participants last post by  samrawet  
#1 ·
I just had my 08 go into the shop to have the Engine Oil Cooler replaced and it's on National backorder. My Jeep has a whopping 1500 miles on it. Has anyone else had problems with this? The Service Manager said that this part was in it's 4th generation and there were specific instructions to NOT cannibalize from new vehicles one the lot.....
 
#2 ·
I was very temped to put one on my Pat as it didn't come with it, and in theory it seems like a nice mod....cooler running engine never hurts.
But after seeing how it works, I have my doubts that it does much, if anything at all to cool the engine or oil. It's still has to reach the same temp for the thermostat to open.
In the end I figured it would probably give me more problems then it helps prevent....more hoses to leak coolant, another location for coolent to get into the engine......
 
#11 ·
If your oil starts to run too hot while under load it adds extra cooling capacity
 
#4 ·
I knew mine was defective by the oil stain on my driveway. It was a good thing my driveway has an incline because all the oil was collecting in the skid plate..... I took it in, they cleaned it up, did a dye test and found the leak on the cooler.... Now I'm waiting...
 
#5 ·
I gotta tell ya, I have one, and I think my Jeep runs really hot, so I can't see what it is actually doing if anything at all.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Oil will get much hotter than the engine (without an oil cooler), since it is in contact with very hot parts of the engine, or in the oilpan, which has very little cooling surface area compared to the amount of oil in it, + with a skidplate reducing cool air around it.

A side benefit of this cooler design is that the coolant will warm up the oil to operating temps from a cold start faster than if there was no cooler (since only a small amount of the oil is in contact with the hot parts compared to the cold reservoir of oil in the pan, the oil temp lags behind the engine coolant temps, at least when first starting up)
 
#7 ·
I added mine own and my temp hasn't changed noticeably. I really think that it's more to prevent your oil from over heating under load than to actually make it run cooler. With the Winters down around 20 below I haven't noticed that it warmed up any faster either, maybe a little, but it's marginal.
 
#10 ·
But you are still limited to coolant temp for the thermostat to open and cool things off. It might allow the engine and oil to cool off a little faster as it adds extra cooling surface....?
But I don't see how it would make the oil cooler while still relying on the thermostat to open for it to work?
Someone with a scan guage might be able to check the different temps....
 
#9 ·
Hmm, I'm a bit of a freak for gauges, might want to add that my list of gauges to add. I've always felt that the Pat was dangerously short on instrumentation.
 
#14 ·
There is no way you will notice any difference unless your engine is under heavy load.

If you tow a 2000lb trailer while it is 40C (100F) running air conditioning that gauge will creep up. Having the additional cooling does help.


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#17 ·
As do I. Unfortunately the Tow Group got dropped from the list of factory options for 2009 unless you get the FDII. You can still get everything as an accessory though, albeit for more cost (parts and labor at that point). I'm going to get a 2" hidden hitch and install it myself and have the dealer put on the oil cooler and wiring harness.

Regards,

NP
 
#20 ·
Oil temperature typically runs at about 350 degrees. Engine coolant runs at about 210 degrees. Running engine oil at any temperature lower than the boiling point of water is dangerous because it will not boil out any condensation in the crankcase and oil pan which inevitable happens almost every cold night. Obviously running the oil 140 degrees cooler than 350 will lead to longer oil life. In constant off-road situations, (as well as heavy stop and go traffic), the constant torquing of the engine tends to blow alot of oil past the piston rings into the combustion chamber, hence buring oil while off road. Oil coolers help prevent that too.
 
#21 · (Edited)
I have the Tow package on my '08 Pat and have studied the oil cooler system. As others have said, all else equal, I believe that the engine coolant will help the oil warm up on starting. Since the oil stabilizes at a hotter temp than the coolant, I believe that the oil will run cooler (though still above engine coolant) with the oil cooler than without, especially here in south Texas.

I don't know why they would not make the Tow package available on 2009 Patriots other than the FDII. Unless they wanted the FDII lower axle ratios and CVT on a tow vehicle for the sake of the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. Which makes one wonder what their reaction would be with a non-tow package equipped Patriot with a trailer hitch and a powertrain warranty claim.

The Jeep.com 2009 specs say "2,000 pound Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight (When Properly Equipped)". I wonder if they would say that properly equipped for a 2009 is FDII.

I'm glad I got my 2008 FDI 5MT with the Tow package.

Oh well. :)
 
#22 ·
I agree that the trailer tow group is a great deal. You get an engine oil cooler, full size spare, and trailer wiring kit. Without looking at my sticker, I believe it was a $200 option. Just the engine oil cooler kit from Mopar runs approx. $260. That doesn't even include installation labor.
 
#23 ·
#24 ·
I have heard of this issue and like stated earlier keep an eye out for drips or check out your skid plate. mine came stock with it for the tow package as well and I have been blessed to not have problems with it.