3.6 Pentastar Oil Cooler Replacement Cost

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine is a popular powerplant used in many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles from around 2011 to the present.

Like any engine, the 3.6 Pentastar can experience wear and failures over time. One common issue is oil cooler failure, which can lead to overheating and possible engine damage if not addressed.

In this article, we will discuss what an oil cooler does, signs it needs replacing, and the typical cost to replace the oil cooler on a 3.6 Pentastar engine.

What is an Oil Cooler?

An oil cooler is a heat exchanger component that works to reduce the operating temperature of the engine oil. As the engine is running, friction from moving parts generates a lot of heat. This heat needs to be removed from the oil to prevent breakdown of lubricating properties and potential damage. The oil pump circulates hot oil through small passages in the oil cooler.

At the same time, coolant from the radiator is circulated through the outer portion of the oil cooler. The two fluids are separated by thin metal plates so heat can transfer from the hot oil to the cooler coolant but the liquids do not mix.

This cooling process brings the engine oil temperature down to a safe operating range before returning it back to vital engine components like the crankshaft, pistons, valves, and bearings.

Signs the Oil Cooler Needs Replacement

There are a few common signs that indicate the oil cooler in a 3.6 Pentastar engine needs to be replaced:

• Oil temperature gauge shows engine oil overheating or in the red zone.
• White smoke or steam coming from under the hood could mean coolant is mixing with oil.
• Oil leaks visible around or underneath the oil cooler housing.
• Rough idling, loss of power, or engine stalling may occur due to insufficient oil circulation and cooling.
• Overheating or continuous operation of the electric cooling fans.

If any of these issues arise, it's a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the oil cooler. Using an infrared thermometer, they can check temperatures of the inlet and outlet oil lines versus the surrounding parts. A significant temperature difference pointing to inefficient heat transfer likely means the oil cooler is failing.

Oil Cooler Replacement Cost

The labor costs associated with replacing the oil cooler on a 3.6 Pentastar engine generally range from $300-$600 depending on the vehicle and shop rates. Expect the total oil cooler replacement cost to be in the $500-$1000 range once new parts are factored in.

Genuine Mopar replacement oil coolers usually run $150-$250. Aftermarket options from brands like ACDelco or AutoZone are available for $100-$150. The mechanic will also need gaskets and sealants which add another $20-50 to materials.

Expect the job to take 2-4 hours for most technicians to complete depending on vehicle access and their experience level.

Additional Repair Cost Factors:

• Vehicle year - Older vehicles generally have more rust and harder to remove parts raising labor costs.
• Engine location - Cab-forward engines beneath intake manifolds require more labor versus rear-wheel drive trucks.
• Coolant loss - Draining and refilling coolant system adds $50-100 if low on coolant.
• Associated repairs - Damage to nearby cooling system components raises total billing.

It's usually recommended to replace the oil cooler at the first signs of failure to prevent further issues. Catching it early avoids costly repairs down the road if overheating cracks a head gasket or causes bearing wear. Preventative maintenance helps maximize the life of these 3.6L engines.

Oil Cooler Replacement Procedure

Here are the typical steps a mechanic will follow to replace a defective oil cooler on a 3.6 Pentastar V6 engine:

1. Drain engine oil and engine coolant from the cooling system.
2. Disconnect all mounting brackets and hoses attached to the old oil cooler.
3. Remove any coolant reservoirs or intake manifolds that obstruct access.
4. Unbolt or cut out the failed oil cooler and extract it.
5. Inspect oil pickup tube and cooler gasket sealing surfaces for damage or leaks.
6. Install new oil cooler with fresh gasket/sealant and tighten bolts/clamps to spec.
7. Refill engine oil and refill/bleed cooling system of air.
8. Check for leaks and test drive vehicle before returning it to the customer.

For DIY mechanics, the oil cooler replacement process is rated moderate difficulty but very doable with the right knowledge and tools. Taking your time during removal and installation helps avoid additional repair costs from broken or stripped components.

Oil Cooler Maintenance Tips

To help extend the lifespan of the oil cooler and prevent premature failures, owners should adhere to these maintenance best practices:

• Change engine oil regularly as directed in the owner's manual.
• Inspect coolant levels, condition and change as needed based on miles.
• Keep engine bay clean to allow for proper air flow across components.
• Check coolant hoses for cracks, kinks, or leaks and replace questionable ones.
• Inspect oil cooler externally for leaks every oil change or 15,000 miles.
• Use OEM coolant or fully formulated hybrid organic acid technology (HOAT) oils.

With proper care and maintenance, the oil cooler on a 3.6 Pentastar engine should last 100,000+ miles in most cases. But they do eventually wear out so it's wise to budget for a replacement if warning signs surface beforehand.

Should You Do It Yourself?

For cost-savvy DIY mechanics, replacing the oil cooler is certainly a project that can be tackled at home. But there are a few factors to consider first:

• Mechanical experience level - More complicated than an oil change but with guidance a novice can do it.
• Specialty tools required - oil drain pump, torque wrench, gasket scraper, sealant gun.
• Access limitations - cabin-forward engines complicate oil cooler access.
• Coolant disposal - Improper coolant dumping poses environmental hazard.
• Warranty coverage - Void powertrain warranty with self-repairs on new vehicles.

Weighing these factors along with your comfort level and potential for additional costs from repairs helps decide if DIY is the right call. Having a pro handle it ensures a proper job using OEM parts with no warranty concerns. But tackling smaller jobs yourself saves hundreds in labor costs over time.

Should You Replace It As a Tune-Up?

Replacing components like belts, hoses or the oil cooler as a preventative maintenance item is generally not necessary if they show no signs of wear. However, there are a few scenarios where choosing to proactively swap it out makes sense:

• High mileage vehicle - 150k+ miles where age-related failures become more likely.
• Severe operating conditions - Towing, idling, extreme heat/cold exposures.
• Peace of mind - Avoid failure risk during a major road trip or important events.
• Bundle with other jobs - Lower total cost replacing with timing belt, water pump, etc.
• As an upgrade - Higher quality replacement lasts much longer lifetime.

For most drivers, it's best to only replace components when showing defects to save money. But for higher use applications, bundling with other scheduled maintenance, or wanting ultimate reliability, proactively swapping the oil cooler is a viable preventative option.

Should You Get an Upgrade?

When replacing worn factory auto parts, upgrading to a higher-performance aftermarket component can be a worthwhile investment if it provides notable benefits over the stock unit.

In the case of a failed 3.6 Pentastar oil cooler, some upgraded options to consider include:

• Larger core design: Increased cooling surface area delivers better heat dissipation than OEM.
• Thicker aluminum plates: Provides enhanced durability for heavy-duty applications or extreme conditions.
• Alternator/power steering integrated cooler: Combining tasks streamlines under-hood plumbing and parts count.
• remote-mounted cooler: Moves heat source away from engine for extra efficiency in larger vehicles.

However, upgrading also requires additional investment beyond a basic replacement. Performance coolers typically cost $200-400 compared to $150-250 for a stock unit. Potential benefits must outweigh the added cost for most owners.

Situations where the performance upgrade pays off include:

• Heavy towing or hauling that strains the cooling system more.
• Hot climate and stop-and-go driving in traffic jams.
• High performance modifications like a cold air intake or ECU tune.
• Fleet vehicles experiencing multiple cooling system failures.
• Extreme duty-cycle applications like construction or emergency vehicles.

For the average commuter, a basic OEM replacement oil cooler suffices. But for heavy-use drivers or fleets on a tighter maintenance budget, the upfront investment in a robust aftermarket upgrade makes sound financial sense in the long run through increased reliability and downtime prevention. As with any modification, doing the research helps decide the right cooling solution for your needs.