[L-Dub]

Good morning, last night the D-Rango left a small puddle of what appears to be oil under the car. Using a paper towel, I dabbed up the fluid. It mostly smells like oil, but has a slight anti-freeze smell to it. On my last oil change, I sent a sample to Blackstone, no signs of water in the oil. In fact, they recommended 9K oil change intervals.

I put the D on the ramps and started looking around. I don't see much to indicate where the leak is coming from. I checked the oil, and it is full. I removed the lower shielding, and it didn't reveal anything either. Looking from the top I don't see anything either.

As a sanity check, I did an oil change and replaced the filter. I am also keeping the lower shielding off to get a better idea of where the leak is coming from.

Another item on the D that I need to check out - Its steering wheel is off-center. However, its last alignment showed mostly good. The only item of slight concern was the rear passenger adjustment.

I replaced the trans-axel fluid about 1 year ago, and I don't believe that this is what I am leaking.

Questions:

1. In the front of the Durango, driver's side, what oil-like fluid could be leaking?
2. Is there an oil-like component associated with the steering of the D? I thought it was electric.
3. Is there a service for aligning the steering wheel? or is that typically done with an alignment?
4. what am i missing?

Thank you, in advance.

 

[jbawden]

I would suspect the motor mounts. They have a rubber bladder that contains some sort of hydrocarbon based fluid and when they rupture it looks like an oil leak.

 

[L-Dub]

I was thinking that too but I assume that the fluid would be “clean”. This fluid was dirty. 😵‍💫

 

[Chase300]

The engine mount fluid looks like dirty oil...or mine did.

 

[Tin Foil Hat]

The mount fluid is black.

 

[L-Dub]

Oh boy!!! First of all, thank you for the responses.

As I posted yesterday, to rule out an oil leak, I changed the oil and filter. The issue seems to have resolved with the oil change, or.....the motor mount has leaked out all its fluid.

I wish Dodge had used a fluid that had a distinct color. As for smell, I am not convinced that the fluid smelled like oil. Time will tell.

Hopefully this was a simple issue; you didn't tighten the oil filter enough. I'll take that. New WIX XP filter and Pennzoil Ultra fluid, and 2 to 3 hours, EASY PESY.....

Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[DeaconBlue]

Here is my post (with photos) from several years ago on a leak that turn to be the motor mount, not the oil cooler (that came later). Best advice is to get under and look up and feel around the motor mount (when engine is cool) to determine if that is the cause of the leak. Also you will notice a new drivetrain vibration after the oil leaks out of these motor mounts.

https://www.dodgedurango.net/threads/latest-fluid-leak-with-my-14-limited-v6.74924/?post_id=750486#post-750486

 

[L-Dub]

The leak returns, and it's not looking like fresh oil. I am 99% sure that it is the motor mounts. $1100 at one dealership and $1948 at an independent shop. How hard of a job is this? Spark plugs were said to be a PITA, and it wasn't. Brakes were easy. The factory hitch was easy. How involved is this this job? On a 5.7 AWD

 

[Vztech]

I have heard motor mounts on the Durango are a bitch.

 

[L-Dub]

Okay, as I am getting quotes, I am being told to ensure that I also do the tranny mount too. Thoughts?

 

[Don Fox]

You can if you want, but we don't hear about the tranny mount near as much as the engine mounts.

Don

 

[L-Dub]

$1,950.00, out the door for both motor and the tranny mounts. Labor shop rates in my area are $210 per hour. I would do them myself but as @Vztech has said, they appear to be a handful.

 

[Don Fox]

All I can say, is OMG X 2! You must live in NYC or Beverly Hills. Hopefully the work comes with a good warranty. I believe dealerships are now 2yrs/ 24k which is sort of a bone for the bone they give you when you pay the bill.

Don

 

[shadash]

Id make sure its not coolant or atf from the power steering before doing other things.

 

[L-Dub]

Power steering fluid? Durangos have electric steering .....correct?

 

[Don Fox]

L-Dub:
Correct from '16 forward.

Don