Upgrades to add to stock engine(reliability).
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Upgrades to add to stock engine(reliability).
Hello all,
My wife has a 2013 Sahara(3.6/auto/Moab). Was informed today the oilfilter housing is cracked and leaking oil. 2 weeks ago, saw the thermostat housing was peeing coolant for about 5 minutes and stopped(has yet to leak since-coolant has been monitored).
My thoughts are: replace oil filter housing, thermostat housing, coolant crossover, and water pump with the upgraded aluminum jobs. I'm also going to do valve cover gaskets and sparks while I'm in there.
This car has been an absolute butthead and every week something else fails on it. No, not our first jeep by far, but our first wrangler.
Can someone with the experience please let me know:
Am I missing anything
Why is it the above listed parts are telling me on the auto parts web sites that they will not fit? Its the same engine, correct?
Thanks!
My wife has a 2013 Sahara(3.6/auto/Moab). Was informed today the oilfilter housing is cracked and leaking oil. 2 weeks ago, saw the thermostat housing was peeing coolant for about 5 minutes and stopped(has yet to leak since-coolant has been monitored).
My thoughts are: replace oil filter housing, thermostat housing, coolant crossover, and water pump with the upgraded aluminum jobs. I'm also going to do valve cover gaskets and sparks while I'm in there.
This car has been an absolute butthead and every week something else fails on it. No, not our first jeep by far, but our first wrangler.
Can someone with the experience please let me know:
Am I missing anything
Why is it the above listed parts are telling me on the auto parts web sites that they will not fit? Its the same engine, correct?
Thanks!
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,346
Likes: 2,086
From: Willow Park, TX
To be fair, we are talking about an 11-12 year old vehicle, likely with some mileage, and we are also talking about a CDJR product. 
I have a '13 as well. The oil coolers changed in '14 cuz the oil bypass valve on the '12 & '13 models was plastic crap that would break, drop down the pickup tube and cause catastrophic failure. If you are looking at oil coolers there is a good chance they might say it doesn't fit yours. Install one for a '14 and then you will just need to make sure to use an oil filter for a '14 as well moving forward.
Thermostats and these plastic housings are just a common thing, as is a leak at at the radiator where the fins meet the side tube, typically drivers side and on the backside. You can't see this without removing the intake box/tube and removing the fan shroud....should you ever want a good look.
I replaced my water pump before, but just as preventative maintenance since I had the radiator out of the way. Nothing wrong with it, though I was surprised by the pitting in the gasket that covers the impeller.
Have never had an issue with the crossover. For valve cover gaskets I'd go with Felpro. That PCV valve in the back of the passenger side is a monsterous pain in the ass. If you are going to have the valve covers off give the cams and rockers a good inspection. In general, this 3.6L is pretty easy to work on. I've rebuilt the timing on my jeep and I've never ventured to do that on any other vehicle before.
I have a '13 as well. The oil coolers changed in '14 cuz the oil bypass valve on the '12 & '13 models was plastic crap that would break, drop down the pickup tube and cause catastrophic failure. If you are looking at oil coolers there is a good chance they might say it doesn't fit yours. Install one for a '14 and then you will just need to make sure to use an oil filter for a '14 as well moving forward.
Thermostats and these plastic housings are just a common thing, as is a leak at at the radiator where the fins meet the side tube, typically drivers side and on the backside. You can't see this without removing the intake box/tube and removing the fan shroud....should you ever want a good look.
I replaced my water pump before, but just as preventative maintenance since I had the radiator out of the way. Nothing wrong with it, though I was surprised by the pitting in the gasket that covers the impeller.
Have never had an issue with the crossover. For valve cover gaskets I'd go with Felpro. That PCV valve in the back of the passenger side is a monsterous pain in the ass. If you are going to have the valve covers off give the cams and rockers a good inspection. In general, this 3.6L is pretty easy to work on. I've rebuilt the timing on my jeep and I've never ventured to do that on any other vehicle before.