Replacing Aftermarket Oil Filter Adapter with OEM
 

On my 1998 Cherokee (6 cyl), I noticed an oil leak originating from the filter adapter, but it appears that the adapter on my Jeep is an aftermarket part. I just bought my Jeep a couple of months ago, and it is time for the first oil change. I noticed that the currently installed filter is a long, skinny guy. The replacement filter I bought is shorter and has a larger diameter.

I would like to replace the aftermarket filter adapter with a Mopar one. My motive for doing this is so I can use the OEM size oil filter. I believe that I need the following parts, but would anyone mind chiming in if I am forgetting something?

Oil Filter Adapter - Mopar No. 53020080
Adapter Bolt - Mopar No. 53020237
O-ring Kit - Crown No. 4720363

For a cheaper option, I suppose it would do me well to pull one off an old Cherokee at a junk yard and just get the o-ring kit. Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

Yessir, you've got it right. That's all you'll need.

What makes you think the oil filter adaptor is aftermarket?


The long skinny filter?


The short, fatter oil filter has a much smaller gasket diameter than the diameter of the filter case itself.


A skinny filter will fit on the OEM adaptor.


You might just need an o-ring kit, and the correct filter.

Right now, there is a Wix #51516 oil filter installed. According to the Wix website, an OEM Cherokee requires a #51085. I checked the gasket diameters of both models and the short, fatter filter (#51085) had a slightly larger outside diameter by about 0.1" and an inside diameter of only about 0.03" greater than the skinny #51516. All of the other specs were the same, except the short, fat filter has a higher burst pressure. I was assuming since the gaskets aren't exactly the same diameter, then I may have fit issues.

Are the gasket diameters of these two filters "close enough" to use them interchangeably on an OEM filter adapter? I would love it if I could just buy an o-ring kit. I should really get in there, clean the gunk off the current adapter, and see if I can tell whether it is an OEM adapter or not.

I'd go with a 3/4-16 adapter for your filter. Alot more options for filters, plus you can use an oversize filter such as the Motorcraft FL1A.

He should already have a 3/4-16 thread adapter. He's got a '98 XJ.




jchens,
More than likely, you have the factory adapter and someone put a skinny filter on it at some point.
If it is leaking from the O-rings, just get an o-ring kit and re-seal it.


Get yourself the proper filter, or an even larger one. (like a 51515)
A bunch of people use them.

Ahh crap didn't catch that. Thanks for the clarification.

This^^.

Thanks Firehawk. I'll go ahead and just get the o-ring kit. I can check to make sure the stock filter size fits when I go to change the oil. If it doesn't fit for some odd reason, it's not a big deal to run out and get another skinny filter for the time being.

I like the idea of bumping up to the larger 51515. I'll probably do that the next time around since I've already got the stock filter on hand.

Wix 51085 is the standard filter and the Wix 51515 is the oversize. It is possible that someone thought they had the correct oversize with the 51516?

Guessing that's what happened. However, WIX application guide lists a few 02-09 Chrysler and Jeep applications so there may be more confusion yet!