2019 Dodge Durango V6 Oil Filter Removal: What You Need to Know
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in the 2019 Dodge Durango is one of the more DIY-accessible engines in Fiat Chrysler's lineup — but its oil filter setup trips up plenty of first-timers. Understanding exactly where the filter lives, what type it is, and how to remove it without making a mess saves time and avoids damage.
What Type of Oil Filter Does the 2019 Durango V6 Use?
The 2019 Durango with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 uses a cartridge-style oil filter, not a traditional spin-on canister. This is an important distinction. Instead of unthreading a metal can, you're removing a plastic filter housing cap that contains a replaceable paper filter element inside.
This design is common on modern engines and has real advantages — less metal waste, easier recycling of the filter element — but the removal process is different enough that someone used to spin-on filters can easily fumble it the first time.
Where Is the Oil Filter Located on the 3.6L Pentastar?
On the 2019 Durango V6, the oil filter housing sits on the top of the engine, toward the front-left side when you're standing in front of the vehicle. This is notably more accessible than many filters that hide underneath the vehicle or behind heat shields.
The housing cap has a large hex fitting on top — typically 24mm — which accepts a standard socket or the dedicated oil filter cap wrench that fits this housing. Because it's on top of the engine, you can usually reach it without a lift or floor jack, which is one reason this engine is popular with DIYers.
Step-by-Step: Removing the Oil Filter on the 2019 Durango V6
🔧 Before you start: Let the engine cool for at least 20–30 minutes. Hot oil and a hot housing can cause burns, and hot plastic fittings are more prone to stripping.
What you'll need:
- 24mm socket or oil filter housing wrench (cap-style)
- Socket extension and ratchet
- Clean rags or shop towels
- Small drain pan or absorbent pad
Removal process:
- Locate the housing cap on the top of the engine. It's a large circular plastic cap with a hex head.
- Position your socket or cap wrench directly on the hex fitting. Make sure it's fully seated — a loose fit on plastic will round the edges.
- Turn counterclockwise to loosen. The cap threads out of the housing.
- Lift the cap slowly and deliberately. The filter element is attached to the cap and will come out with it. Expect residual oil to drip — this is normal and why the rag or drain pan matters.
- Remove the old filter element from the cap. It typically slides or snaps off.
- Inspect the O-ring on the housing cap. This rubber seal needs to be replaced with each oil change. Most replacement filter kits include a new O-ring. Don't reuse the old one.
- Install the new filter element onto the cap, seat the new O-ring, and thread the cap back in by hand first before snuggling it with the wrench.
The Variables That Change This Process
Not every 2019 Durango V6 oil change looks exactly the same. A few factors affect how this goes in practice:
| Variable | How It Affects Removal |
|---|---|
| Engine temperature | Cold is safer for handling; very cold weather can stiffen the O-ring |
| Previous overtightening | Can make the cap hard to break loose without stripping |
| Tool quality | Cheap sockets flex on plastic fittings; a proper cap wrench fits more securely |
| Oil change history | Sludge buildup around the housing can complicate removal on high-mileage or neglected engines |
| Aftermarket housing caps | Some owners have replaced the factory plastic cap with a metal version, which behaves differently |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overtightening on reinstallation is the most frequent problem. The spec for the filter housing cap on the 3.6L Pentastar is generally around 18–25 ft-lbs, but hand-tight plus a modest snug with the wrench is often sufficient — check your owner's manual or a factory service specification for your exact vehicle. Cranking it hard strips plastic threads over time.
Forgetting the O-ring is the second most common issue. An old, compressed O-ring won't seal properly and can cause an oil leak right around the filter housing — which looks alarming and creates a mess even though the underlying fix is simple.
Not having a rag ready catches people off guard. When you lift the cap and element assembly, oil drains off the filter element. It's not a flood, but it's enough to run down the side of the engine if you're not prepared.
How the V6 Differs from the V8 in the Same Vehicle
The 2019 Durango was also available with a 5.7L HEMI V8. That engine uses a traditional spin-on oil filter mounted lower and toward the rear of the engine — a completely different removal process and tool requirement. If you're looking up a procedure, confirming your engine before you buy tools or filters matters more than it might seem.
What Shapes the Outcome for Each Owner
The 2019 Durango V6 filter removal is genuinely one of the more beginner-friendly jobs on this platform — accessible location, no lift required, straightforward tooling. But how smoothly it goes depends on the engine's service history, whether the cap was previously overtightened, the tools on hand, and whether the O-ring situation was handled correctly on the last service.
Those variables sit with each vehicle and each owner. The process is consistent; the condition of any specific engine is not.