I'm strongly considering relocating the oil filter and installing one of those Fumoto quick-drain adapters and a hose. Did my first oil change last weekend and even with the lift, getting the skidplate off was a bit of a bear and tightening the skidplate back down I was not sure how tight to make the various 10mm and 13mm fasteners, I fear that these would be prone to being stripped out with regular removal and installation. It looks like there are a few various kits for 22mm oil filters. What I need to determine is where to place the filter. Both low and high have their advantages. A low position is good because the lines are short, it's accessible from underneath, and if it drips, it doesn't drip into the engine compartment or much otherwise on the vehicle. A high position is good because it can be reached when the vehicle is on the ground to change it prior to draining the crankcase, so any oil in the lines drains back down into the crankcase to drain through the plug. I have no previous experience with oil filter relocation, anything I need to bear in mind?
I spoke with someone that has worked with aftermarket/racing a bit and we discussed the pros and cons of high vs low placement. Basically high placement comes with drip problems. The exception is when using one of those paper-cartridge filters, the kind that lacks its own canister. I'm going to look up that kind of solution I think, so I can mount it high so it drains into the sump when opened up.
I've worked with construction trucks that use those systems, 150k and running strong, stop and start all day long... No oil change, just monthly cartrige and a quart to refresh. Not how I would prefer to maintain my Jeep but the system is simple and effective. Sent from my SM-G920T using ToasterJeep mobile app
After I had originally posted this I had a bit of a spat with a dealer, they wanted to call the Renegade Ready hitch lighting adapter a modification that could void warranty. A local Mopar club that I used to be part of meets at a dealer, I may speak with them about having such a kit installed at the dealership such that it doesn't run up against that kind of pushback. A powertrain warranty is not something that I want in-question.
I got the Fumoto quick drain plug for my Renegade. I have the 1.4L engine. I ran into the problem where I needed to purchase the 1 inch extender, but since the vehicle was so new, it wasn't listed on the website as a required item. One has to expect this kind of thing to happen with a new vehicle. I emailed them about the issue and I believe they fixed the website for the 1.4L. Don't know if you are going to need it for the 2.4L engine. The oil drain plug on the 1.4 has a shroud... thing... on the top which prevented me from initially putting the quick drain plug on. It is not something that can be removed as it looks like it was cast into the engine block like that. I actually had put an extension on my ratchet to get the drain plug out because the head of the ratchet was too big and was hitting the shroud. Get under and measure the area , you need at least 3/4 inch of clearance from the center of the drain, in all directions, to wrench in the valve. And you can only put it on with spanner, unless you get one of their new SX series valves. And you may as well put down the couple of extra bucks for the locking clip. I got it for piece of mind.
I think there was a fair amount of clearance on the 2.4, the basic engine has been in production since 2005 with minor to moderate refreshes from time to time for things like VVT, so I'm not expecting it to be much more difficult for the drain plug than it would be for a Compass or Patriot. I just wish that the oil filter itself weren't located right up under the main skidplate.
My Audi TT had a skid plate and like 239482398 screws holding it in. I ended up cutting a hole in the plate and making a removable door. Wasn't the prettiest thing, but it saved me lots of time.
I thought about something like that too but the position of the filter relative to the front edge of the skidplate would probably not let that work unfortunately.
I'm thinking of cutting a hole in mine and making a hinged cover. Taking the skid plate off is just poor engineering, probably from the Fiat side of the house. I was able to remove my filter by pulling it through next to the exhaust pipe & push the new one through the same place. Oil all over the place & it took forever to get the filter to thread with my hand in there at such a weird angle. Someone could make money by coming out with an aftermarket setup to accomplish this.
