This procedure covers removal and replacement of the engine oil cooler on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins diesel engine, including coolant drainage, housing removal, and system refill.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil cooler assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil cooler housing gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil cooler O-rings (set) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant hose clamps (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar OAT Coolant (Purple) — 2 qt
• Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent electrical issues
4. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front edge then lifting off
5. Position drain pans under engine oil cooler area and coolant drain locations
6. Relieve cooling system pressure by slowly loosening radiator cap one full turn, then removing completely after pressure releases

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain engine coolant
   Locate the coolant drain plug on the lower driver's side of the radiator. Place drain pan underneath and remove the drain plug completely. Allow coolant to drain until flow stops. Reinstall drain plug finger-tight for now (will torque during reassembly).
2. 2

   Disconnect coolant hoses from oil cooler housing
   Locate the oil cooler housing on the driver's side of the engine block, below the fuel filter assembly. Using hose clamp pliers or flathead screwdriver, loosen the coolant inlet and outlet hose clamps. Slide clamps back away from the housing connections. Twist and pull hoses off the oil cooler housing nipples. Additional coolant will drain; ensure pan is positioned correctly.
3. 3

   Remove oil cooler housing cover
   Locate the cover screws on the front face of the oil cooler housing (typically 2-4 screws depending on housing design). Remove all cover screws using appropriate metric socket. Carefully pull cover away from housing. Note the orientation of any internal components or baffles for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove oil cooler assembly mounting bolts
   Identify all mounting bolts securing the oil cooler housing to the engine block. There are typically 3-4 bolts around the perimeter. Remove all mounting bolts completely using the appropriate socket. Support the housing with one hand while removing the final bolt to prevent it from dropping.
   ⚠Oil and coolant residue will be present. Housing may be heavy when saturated with fluids.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove oil cooler housing from engine block
   Carefully pull the oil cooler housing away from the engine block. You may need to gently wiggle or use a plastic pry bar to break the gasket seal. Once free, remove the housing completely and set aside. Additional oil may drain from the block opening; ensure drain pan is positioned to catch it.
6. 6

   Remove old oil cooler from housing
   With the housing removed, extract the old oil cooler element from inside the housing. Note the orientation and position of O-rings and seals. Inspect the housing bore for debris, scoring, or damage. Clean all mating surfaces thoroughly with shop rags and appropriate cleaner. Remove all old gasket material from both the housing and engine block mounting surface.
7. 7

   Install new oil cooler element and seals
   Lubricate new O-rings with clean engine oil. Install new O-rings into their grooves on the new oil cooler element. Insert the new oil cooler element into the housing, ensuring proper orientation matches the original installation. Verify O-rings are seated correctly and not twisted or pinched.
   ⚠Do not use petroleum jelly or grease on O-rings as it may degrade rubber. Use only clean engine oil for lubrication.
8. 8

   Install new housing gasket on engine block
   Position the new oil cooler housing gasket onto the engine block mounting surface. Ensure all bolt holes align correctly and the gasket is seated flat against the block surface. Some gaskets may be adhesive-backed; if not, a small amount of gasket adhesive on the block side can hold it in position during installation.
9. 9

   Reinstall oil cooler housing to engine block
   Carefully align the oil cooler housing with the gasket and mounting holes on the engine block. Insert all mounting bolts by hand and thread them in several turns to ensure proper alignment. Once all bolts are started, tighten them in a criss-cross pattern to the specified torque value to ensure even gasket compression.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts37 Nm (27 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall oil cooler housing cover
    Position the housing cover back onto the front of the oil cooler housing, ensuring any internal baffles or components are correctly oriented. Install all cover screws by hand first. Tighten cover screws in a criss-cross pattern to the specified torque to ensure even sealing.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect coolant hoses
    Reconnect the coolant inlet and outlet hoses to the oil cooler housing nipples. Ensure hoses are pushed fully onto the nipples. Position hose clamps over the hose-to-nipple connection area. Tighten hose clamps to the specified torque. Verify hoses are secure and properly seated.
    Torque spec

    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Close coolant drain and refill cooling system
    Torque the radiator coolant drain plug to specification. Using a funnel, slowly refill the cooling system with Mopar OAT Purple coolant through the radiator fill neck and overflow reservoir. Fill to the appropriate level marks. If available, use a vacuum refill tool to eliminate air pockets. Run engine at idle with radiator cap off until thermostat opens and coolant circulates. Add additional coolant as level drops. Install radiator cap once system is full and burped of air.
    ⚠Failure to properly bleed air from the cooling system can result in overheating and engine damage.
    Torque spec

    Coolant Drain Plug15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Check engine oil level and top off
    Check the engine oil level on the dipstick. Some oil was lost during oil cooler removal. Add Mopar 5W-20 Synthetic Blend oil as necessary to bring level to the full mark on the dipstick. Do not overfill.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine cover by aligning rear tabs and pressing down firmly on front edge until clips engage
2. Reconnect negative battery terminal
3. Double-check all hose clamps and connections for tightness
4. Verify no tools or parts are left in engine compartment

Verification

• Start engine and allow to reach normal operating temperature while monitoring for leaks around the oil cooler housing and coolant hoses
• Check for any coolant or oil leaks at the housing mounting surface, cover, and hose connections
• Verify coolant level in overflow reservoir is at the proper cold level mark after engine cools
• Monitor engine temperature gauge to ensure engine is not overheating and cooling system is functioning properly
• Re-check engine oil level after engine has been running and cooled; top off if necessary
• Inspect ground under vehicle for any fluid leaks after test drive

More procedures for this vehicle