[M0Par]

@M0Par
I managed to finally check the seal surfaces on the factory unit that's been riding around with me since I changed it.

All depths are .1875-.188" deep, uniform.
It is flat within .005 across all seating surfaces.

There were no signs of leakage from it anywhere, to the point I think "oil cooler" was a misdiagnosis and it's actually been the rear head pushing coolant into the valley.

I'm considering replacing the oil cooler in my Town and Country as well. Based on what you saw with the Chrysler part do you think it has more to do with the orings end of life rather than the oil cooler?

 

[Classic Owner]

I'm considering replacing the oil cooler in my Town and Country as well. Based on what you saw with the Chrysler part do you think it has more to do with the orings end of life rather than the oil cooler?

Honestly my O-rings were still in perfect shape, to the point I likely would have reused them had I reinstalled the original cooler.
The cooler itself is perfect, no signs of cracks, no signs of leaks, no signs of leaking O-rings. Had I looked at it closer before installing the Dorman unit, I'd have just thrown it back on and returned the Dorman one.

Honestly, I see no point in replacing an oil cooler that isn't otherwise causing issue. The OEM units are perfectly fine when used properly and easily go 4-500k miles without failure. Those that do fail are generally caused by incompetent mechanics overtorquing them, which cracks them or breaks the seal.

 

[M0Par]

Seems like it could be the majority of these oil cooler failings are orings only. Here's an example:

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I've seen that there now appear to be several less expensive options on Amazon, which don't appear to actually be Dorman brand, so I assume they are knock-offs. Does anyone have any experience with any of these? Although the Dorman one isn't that expensive, all things considered, if the less expensive ones are equivalent, the price is certainly better.

I bought this "Somusen" branded aluminum cooler in December of 2022 to replace my leaking factory cooler on our 2017 Limited at around 90,000 miles:


It was $150-ish when I bought it, but was still less than the Dorman...right now it's only $67.99 (!)

Our original cooler started leaking shortly after an oil change at a quick-change place. The new unit installed fine and so far is not showing any signs of leaking. From what I recall, one of the sensors (oil temp?) was not correct. I could have moved the old one, but it wasn't too expensive so I just ordered a new OEM sensor.

EDIT: The Amazon link I posted is not showing up for me (maybe because of my adblocker?) but you can find the cooler I ordered by searching "B09ZDW88R6" on Amazon.

 

[tibi500]

B09ZDW88R6

The Amazon site does not mention 2017+ Pacifica in their compatibility list. And it states that 2 sensors are installed, does the Pacifica need 2 sensors or 1 combo sensor? Which OEM sensor did You order?

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

The Amazon site does not mention 2017+ Pacifica in their compatibility list. And it states that 2 sensors are installed, does the Pacifica need 2 sensors or 1 combo sensor? Which OEM sensor did You order?

The various Pentastar 3.6L engines all take the same cooler. The only thing I had to do was change out one of the sensors. Like I said above, I think it was the oil-temp sensor. No reason you can't just get the sensor from your old cooler, since they're not a part that fails at a high rate. I just figured while I had it out, I'd go ahead and change it.

I don't know how long that cooler is going to be $67.99, but I'd jump on it if you need one. It has free returns, so you can always return it if you change your mind. You could also take it to a parts store and ask to compare the sensor to one for your van.

 

[tibi500]

The various Pentastar 3.6L engines all take the same cooler. The only thing I had to do was change out one of the sensors. Like I said above, I think it was the oil-temp sensor. No reason you can't just get the sensor from your old cooler, since they're not a part that fails at a high rate. I just figured while I had it out, I'd go ahead and change it.

I don't know how long that cooler is going to be $67.99, but I'd jump on it if you need one. It has free returns, so you can always return it if you change your mind. You could also take it to a parts store and ask to compare the sensor to one for your van.

OK, but did You use this cooler for the Pacifica?
If yes, how many sensors did it have?
I would like to buy all the necessary stuff needed and bring it to my friend who will do the installing.
I have to be well prepared, because I live in Europe and don't really want to send anything back to the US.
So taking the car apart and then figuring out that something is different than anticipated does not work for us, because we have to wait weeks for parts in this case with a torn apart car.

 

[Classic Owner]

OK, but did You use this cooler for the Pacifica?
If yes, how many sensors did it have?
I would like to buy all the necessary stuff needed and bring it to my friend who will do the installing.
I have to be well prepared, because I live in Europe and don't really want to send anything back to the US.
So taking the car apart and then figuring out that something is different than anticipated does not work for us, because we have to wait weeks for parts in this case with a torn apart car.

You install the one sensor the Pacifica needs and install a pipe plug in the other sensor port.
Usually the coolers come with a plug for the unused port.

 

[tibi500]

You install the one sensor the Pacifica needs and install a pipe plug in the other sensor port.
Usually the coolers come with a plug for the unused port.

Excellent. In case the cooler comes without the unused port, is it possible to prepare myself in advance and buy a plug? Does it have a part number?

 

[Classic Owner]

Excellent. In case the cooler comes without the unused port, is it possible to prepare myself in advance and buy a plug? Does it have a part number?

That I can't help with.
I would suggest getting a new sensor though as they generally don't come out of the old unit in one piece. MOPAR 68334877AA

 

[tibi500]

Isn't it MOPAR 68295556AA ?
My car is a 2017

 

[Classic Owner]

Isn't it MOPAR 68295556AA ?
My car is a 2017

You're correct, sorry about that. I looked up 2019 out of habit.

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

OK, but did You use this cooler for the Pacifica?

Yes, I already said I did, but if you need proof here's a screenshot:

If yes, how many sensors did it have?
I would like to buy all the necessary stuff needed and bring it to my friend who will do the installing.
I have to be well prepared, because I live in Europe and don't really want to send anything back to the US.
So taking the car apart and then figuring out that something is different than anticipated does not work for us, because we have to wait weeks for parts in this case with a torn apart car.

It's been close to a year since I replaced mine, so I'm a little sketchy on the details, but I seem to recall it having two sensors. If you read through this thread though, you should be able get all the information you need. I don't recall having to buy a plug, but if you do, post #3 on the thread has the details:

freddief73 said:

I haven't yet, but I think I might be in the near future. You can save a few bucks and install Dorman 926-876 instead if you want. Their application guide doesn't say it fits, but it actually does. The 926-959 kit is the exact same thing except it also includes the oil cooler, the orange cap & filter (for the 2011-2013 gen 1 3.6L with the older filter design), and a pipe plug to occupy the upper hole for the oil temp sensor (needed for the gen 3 engines which the Pacifica has). The oil temp sensor is installed in a different location on the Gen 3 engines.

You can find the correct pipe plug that's not included with the Dorman 926-876 kit at any good hardware store. The size you need is 3/8” NPT. I recommend stainless steel or brass if you have a choice. Regular steel will work fine, but will rust unless it is coated with grease after installation.

I also highly recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor instead of transferring it because they commonly fail (oil usually seeps through the electrical terminals) and most engines will likely have a lot of miles on them when this oil cooler housing is installed. The part number for the sensor is Mopar 68295556AA or Dorman 926-337. The Mopar part is probably better quality than the Dorman, but the Dorman is cheaper.

 

[tibi500]

Yes, I already said I did, but if you need proof here's a screenshot:

View attachment 55170



It's been close to a year since I replaced mine, so I'm a little sketchy on the details, but I seem to recall it having two sensors. If you read through this thread though, you should be able get all the information you need. I don't recall having to buy a plug, but if you do, post #3 on the thread has the details:

freddief73 said:

I haven't yet, but I think I might be in the near future. You can save a few bucks and install Dorman 926-876 instead if you want. Their application guide doesn't say it fits, but it actually does. The 926-959 kit is the exact same thing except it also includes the oil cooler, the orange cap & filter (for the 2011-2013 gen 1 3.6L with the older filter design), and a pipe plug to occupy the upper hole for the oil temp sensor (needed for the gen 3 engines which the Pacifica has). The oil temp sensor is installed in a different location on the Gen 3 engines.

You can find the correct pipe plug that's not included with the Dorman 926-876 kit at any good hardware store. The size you need is 3/8” NPT. I recommend stainless steel or brass if you have a choice. Regular steel will work fine, but will rust unless it is coated with grease after installation.

I also highly recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor instead of transferring it because they commonly fail (oil usually seeps through the electrical terminals) and most engines will likely have a lot of miles on them when this oil cooler housing is installed. The part number for the sensor is Mopar 68295556AA or Dorman 926-337. The Mopar part is probably better quality than the Dorman, but the Dorman is cheaper.

Thanks! I bought the Dorman, which will be here in about a week. As You say by this type of housing the plug is not included. Do You have a part number for a 3/8 NPT plug? I am very beginner and lame in this regard, would like to order it online from Rockauto.com for example, they deliver to us and the Dorman stuff I ordered is also from them.

 

[Classic Owner]

Thanks! I bought the Dorman, which will be here in about a week. As You say by this type of housing the plug is not included. Do You have a part number for a 3/8 NPT plug? I am very beginner and lame in this regard, would like to order it online from Rockauto.com for example, they deliver to us and the Dorman stuff I ordered is also from them.

The Dorman kit comes with the plugs, but be wary, the unit itself is poor quality as you can see I pointed out earlier in this post.

 

[tibi500]

Does the Dorman Oil filter housing use a different oil filter than the OEM filter housing?
The Dorman set came with one filter and the mechanic used this filter when swapping the housing.
But I don't have the leaflet that was in the box and from where I am the webpage of Dorman is blocked, I can not get any info on their pages, because I can't access them,

So when buying the next oil filter, can I buy the same that the factory spec housing had or do I need to buy a different one?

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

Does the Dorman Oil filter housing use a different oil filter than the OEM filter housing?
The Dorman set came with one filter and the mechanic used this filter when swapping the housing.
But I don't have the leaflet that was in the box and from where I am the webpage of Dorman is blocked, I can not get any info on their pages, because I can't access them,

So when buying the next oil filter, can I buy the same that the factory spec housing had or do I need to buy a different one?

It is the same as the previous filter.

 

[freddief73]

Does the Dorman Oil filter housing use a different oil filter than the OEM filter housing?
The Dorman set came with one filter and the mechanic used this filter when swapping the housing.
But I don't have the leaflet that was in the box and from where I am the webpage of Dorman is blocked, I can not get any info on their pages, because I can't access them,

So when buying the next oil filter, can I buy the same that the factory spec housing had or do I need to buy a different one?

All 2014+ Pentastar 3.6L engines use the same oil filter that is included with the Dorman housing.

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

Another opinion in a YouTube short (click here).

 

[M0Par]

Another opinion in a YouTube short (click here).

I recall seeing that posted this year and at the time it sounded reasonable. I've since looked it up and the only changes made have been to the size of the o-rings.