Oil Cooler Leaking

[Classic777]

When I parked my truck tonight I noticed oil leaking from under the truck. I turned removed the skid plate and turned the truck on and its leaking from the oil cooler. Its not either of the lines into it, or the drain plug. Its coming from just above the square piece that holds the drain plug.

Has anyone had this happen? Is there any good aftermarket ones being made yet?

I did do an oil change earlier today and it was dry everywhere so it just happened. Im thinking maybe when I tightened the oil cooler drain plug maybe it cracked it? I always put an adjustable wrench behind the plug to support the cooler itself before I remove that drain plug or install it, but who knows.

 

[Zep'sTRX]

Just changed my oil yesterday also and checked for leaks after all was done. Nothing. Drove it today, came back home, oil dropping. Looks like oil cooler, letting it cool (TX Heat) before I remove skid plate to confirm. When I was changing oil I wasn't able to get oil cooler drain plug off so I left it, didn't want anything to break. I made sure I braced the cooler lines and the cooler itself and it was on way too tight so like I said, I left the plug and oil in the cooler.
What was the outcome of yours or any others out there with same issue?

Thanks!

 

[Classic777]

Just changed my oil yesterday also and checked for leaks after all was done. Nothing. Drove it today, came back home, oil dropping. Looks like oil cooler, letting it cool (TX Heat) before I remove skid plate to confirm. When I was changing oil I wasn't able to get oil cooler drain plug off so I left it, didn't want anything to break. I made sure I braced the cooler lines and the cooler itself and it was on way too tight so like I said, I left the plug and oil in the cooler.
What was the outcome of yours or any others out there with same issue?

Thanks!

I ended up having to replace my oil cooler. There were no pics or videos of it last year so I just winged it. Took about 2 hours and wasnt too bad. I did it myself b/c it was out of warranty. Just take it slow and itll be fine. Mine was leaking from the side, no real obvious place, break or cracks.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

This is the reason alot of people put valves on the oil cooler. The aluminum cracks way too easy and if you take it into the dealership, the teenage kid without a care is gonna use an impact to take off/put on the drain plug. I use fumoto for my cooler and pan, valvomax is also a good one

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

These stories are scary lol. I just changed my oil again today and i treat that cooler like its made of glass lolol. So far so good at 39k

 

[Zep'sTRX]

I'm sick about it. Still under warranty so we'll see how it goes.
Glad it happened here at home, we were planning on taking my truck on a road trip today and that would've sucked to have spilled oil all the way up to the Rockies. That's the silver lining!

 

[2024TRX]

I put them on first oil change. Recommend!

 

[Marioyoli123]

I ended up having to replace my oil cooler. There were no pics or videos of it last year so I just winged it. Took about 2 hours and wasnt too bad. I did it myself b/c it was out of warranty. Just take it slow and itll be fine. Mine was leaking from the side, no real obvious place, break or cracks.

What needed removed to get the cooler off, aside from the skid plate? Also, what was the attaching hardware for the cooler? Two bolts up top, and the two down low centered? Thanks in advance!

 

[Classic777]

What needed removed to get the cooler off, aside from the skid plate? Also, what was the attaching hardware for the cooler? Two bolts up top, and the two down low centered? Thanks in advance!

Hey

Im trying to remember as it was over a year ago. I did it in my garage b/c I didnt want to drive it with it leaking. It was some bolts up top and on the bottom I think. The hardest part was getting everything lined up once you were putting the new back in. But it took me about 2 hours. Nothing too bad. Ill see if I have any pics

 

[Classic777]

 

[2024TRX]

To anybody reading this in the future:

https://www.pwrna.com/product/2021-2024-ram-trx-engine-oil-cooler

Tell them Charles sent you ( @Fifty )

 

[Fifty]

I just ordered mine today. When it comes i'll be doing a full install and review on it.
I got to hold it at SEMA... and I am pretty happy.

Really nice core.

When I get mine and I dont have to battle evil thoughts of running off with it, and can focus on getting details and making a comparison with the oem cooler... I will.

Ill tell you what, thie crazy 250+ oil temps when its 80 degrees out and im just driving on a free way and the 270+ temps when Im offroading and not even hammering... will make this cooler worth every penny.... even though it was a pretty penny.

Damn dollar value.

 

[Marioyoli123]

Hey

Im trying to remember as it was over a year ago. I did it in my garage b/c I didnt want to drive it with it leaking. It was some bolts up top and on the bottom I think. The hardest part was getting everything lined up once you were putting the new back in. But it took me about 2 hours. Nothing too bad. Ill see if I have any pics

I appreciate the quick response! I’m happy to see I don’t need to pull the bumper. It’s difficult to discern what is attached to what when looking at the cooler and the plastic housing, but your pictures just cleared it up a little. I’m surprised that there isn’t a whole lot online about the replacement of the oil cooler. Again thank you very much for the help!

 

[GTRonin]

I think people have to be careful when changing the oil and draining the cooler. You have to put a crescent wrench on the squared part the plug sits in to prevent torque on the cooler itself and then remove or install the plug. I'm very careful at this part for this reason.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

I think people have to be careful when changing the oil and draining the cooler. You have to put a crescent wrench on the squared part the plug sits in to prevent torque on the cooler itself and then remove or install the plug. I'm very careful at this part for this reason.

That's why I installed a valve. That aluminum cracks very easy

 

[Marioyoli123]

That's why I installed a valve. That aluminum cracks very easy

The aluminum cracks way too easily! I used an adjustable wrench to support the oil cooler while trying to get the drain plug out… and somehow still cracked the oil cooler. I never even managed to get the drain plug out… it was seized up. I gave up because I noticed I was having to use too much pressure, and didn’t want to end up cracking the cooler. Ended up just removing the line to drain as much oil as I could out. Once I had the fluids topped off, I was giving everything a once over and noticed oil starting to puddle up right at the bottom of the oil cooler. I was hoping when I started the truck, it would just be a constant drip, and I could deal with in the short term. What I got was a geyser spray of oil all over the front of the engine. Luckily, I use the remote starter and I was able to cut the engine right off. Within that two or three seconds I would say almost a quart of oil sprayed out. I remote started it one more time while I was up under the truck to try to see where the oil was coming from, all you could tell was that it was spraying front to back. It was impossible to identify exactly where it was coming from.
Needless to say I purchased a valve to install on the new oil cooler!

 

[IdahoKTM]

The aluminum cracks way too easily! I used an adjustable wrench to support the oil cooler while trying to get the drain plug out… and somehow still cracked the oil cooler. I never even managed to get the drain plug out… it was seized up. I gave up because I noticed I was having to use too much pressure, and didn’t want to end up cracking the cooler. Ended up just removing the line to drain as much oil as I could out. Once I had the fluids topped off, I was giving everything a once over and noticed oil starting to puddle up right at the bottom of the oil cooler. I was hoping when I started the truck, it would just be a constant drip, and I could deal with in the short term. What I got was a geyser spray of oil all over the front of the engine. Luckily, I use the remote starter and I was able to cut the engine right off. Within that two or three seconds I would say almost a quart of oil sprayed out. I remote started it one more time while I was up under the truck to try to see where the oil was coming from, all you could tell was that it was spraying front to back. It was impossible to identify exactly where it was coming from.
Needless to say I purchased a valve to install on the new oil cooler!

I agree that the oil cooler is fragile, but that's not the issue here. Your oil cooler drain plug was over torqued or the dissimilar metals of the cooler/drain bolt seized due to neglect. Did you buy the truck used or have someone else change your oil?

 

[Car-Guy]

How come they put such flimsy radiators (plastic housings) and crappy oil coolers on our trucks that are suppose to be designed to take an off road pounding?

 

[Fifty]

There are some people who say plastic end tank “crimped” radiators are more durable than aluminum/aluminum radiators.
As for the oil cooler, everything is built to a price point.

 

[thewrx]

Yep, been there done that, support the hx with your hand while you remove bolt, or get the quick drain valve.