HELP: Fix or Sell?
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, VT
No, it had 90k miles on it when I bought it. I didn't notice any problems until about 2 weeks after I bought it and then it was very sporadic so I didn't think anything of it. Just would lose power and started doing things like stalling out when the rpms dropped below 2000. I thought maybe I was not shifting correctly so I just started focusing on keeping the rpms over 2,000.
The guy who is now working on it found an oil leak that was likely causing the oil pressure to drop and causing the engine to cut out and contributing to the clutch burning up. It is really a shame that the garage that sold it to me never found the oil leak even when they replaced a head gasket last summer.
Also quite discouraging that none of the dashboard lights were coming on - never had a check engine or oil light even when it burned up.
So looks like I'm out another $4k and after I get it back will try desperately to find someone to buy it for how much I still owe on it.
I bought this jeep because I didn't want to spend $40k on a Toyota. Would be way farther ahead to have bought a Toyota at this point.
The guy who is now working on it found an oil leak that was likely causing the oil pressure to drop and causing the engine to cut out and contributing to the clutch burning up. It is really a shame that the garage that sold it to me never found the oil leak even when they replaced a head gasket last summer.
Also quite discouraging that none of the dashboard lights were coming on - never had a check engine or oil light even when it burned up.
So looks like I'm out another $4k and after I get it back will try desperately to find someone to buy it for how much I still owe on it.
I bought this jeep because I didn't want to spend $40k on a Toyota. Would be way farther ahead to have bought a Toyota at this point.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Same, I didn't want to buy a new car with a new car note. It's costing right at $10,000 for a new engine and some other work. Hopefully getting it back tomorrow.
I wish you well in sorting things out. Not sure I would buy another Jeep at this point.
I wish you well in sorting things out. Not sure I would buy another Jeep at this point.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
HELP! The main question is to keep or sell? And if to sell, what is the best outlet?
First a little back story and then I will get to the issue.
I have a 2011 JK Unlimited Sport with 150,000 miles. In the past 4 months I've had to spend about $8,000 on it. $2,000 on new tires, and over $5,000 for all new steering components (to fix death wobble) and a new suspension/lift, along with a few other items like an oil leak etc... I was okay with this because the Jeep is paid for, and I planned on keeping it even when I buy another vehicle. I just counted it as maintenance costs.
For a while now, some days every light on my dashboard is on. The next day they are all off... then back on. Then when turning the key, the engine would turn over for about 10 seconds before it would actually start. A trip to the mechanic revealed some exposed wires where the coating had worn off. These wires are meant to be separate and not touching one another. The mechanic mentioned I needed a new wiring harness, and said he would have to see if he could fine one. I went home and did the best I could the separate the wires and wrap with electrical tape so they were no longer touching. After I did this, the vehicle started normally, and all the lights on the dash went off again.
I thought things were back to normal, then periodically the Jeep would just die. I could still restart it though, even if it took a little while to do so. The dashboard lights also began coming on again. So, just periodic little things that I have come to deal with just having a Jeep.
On my way to work two days ago, it started fine, and I drove 14 miles on the interstate to my exit where it died and would not restart. I had it towed to my mechanic who is now saying I need to have the engine rebuilt or put a new (rebuilt) engine in it.
I'm sorry I don't know how to describe everything he said on the phone but it was something about one of the pistons damaging something, and something being open instead of closed, having to do with the timing. And now things are bent, and probably running on 3 cylinders... and that I probably couldn't even drive it away from his shop.
So now in addition to the recent $8,000 I put into it, I need a new engine and electrical wiring harness which I am assuming will be approaching the $10,000 range. So getting close to $20,000 in maintenance/repairs for a vehicle that's not even worth that much. Obviously if I could see into the future I would not have put all the money into it that I just did knowing this was about to happen.
What would you do? Assuming a new engine and labor, along with a new wiring harness (to fix electrical issues) comes in less than $10,000... would you put that money into a Jeep this old? Or cut my losses and just buy another vehicle? Even if I get it fixed there's no guarantee that something else won't go wrong. I would rather spend $10,000 on a new engine (3 year/100,000 mile warranty) than have a $500 or $600 new car note for the next 5 years. Another downside to my Jeep is that I am currently only getting 11 mpg. I'd rather not spend $10,000 fixing a car with such poor mileage. Maybe a new engine will help that? I don't know. I feel putting the money into it to fix and sell would almost be a wash.
If I do decide to buy a new vehicle and get rid of the Jeep. What is the best option for selling the Jeep? Will a dealer even take a Jeep that isn't running? I know I will get robbed by the dealers when trading in, but I also feel they have the means to put it back in their shop, fix it quick and cheap and relist it.
Or would the best option be to list it and sell outright to a Jeep lover who wants to work on it himself/herself and fix it up? How much can I really expect to get from a Jeep that needs a new engine? Would you take all the pieces and parts (roof rack, new tires etc....) and sell separately before trying to get rid of it?
Sorry this is such a long post. I need input from Jeepers like you who have been here before. Who have put a new engine in etc... Thank you in advance for taking the time to comment and share your wisdom on this issue.
First a little back story and then I will get to the issue.
I have a 2011 JK Unlimited Sport with 150,000 miles. In the past 4 months I've had to spend about $8,000 on it. $2,000 on new tires, and over $5,000 for all new steering components (to fix death wobble) and a new suspension/lift, along with a few other items like an oil leak etc... I was okay with this because the Jeep is paid for, and I planned on keeping it even when I buy another vehicle. I just counted it as maintenance costs.
For a while now, some days every light on my dashboard is on. The next day they are all off... then back on. Then when turning the key, the engine would turn over for about 10 seconds before it would actually start. A trip to the mechanic revealed some exposed wires where the coating had worn off. These wires are meant to be separate and not touching one another. The mechanic mentioned I needed a new wiring harness, and said he would have to see if he could fine one. I went home and did the best I could the separate the wires and wrap with electrical tape so they were no longer touching. After I did this, the vehicle started normally, and all the lights on the dash went off again.
I thought things were back to normal, then periodically the Jeep would just die. I could still restart it though, even if it took a little while to do so. The dashboard lights also began coming on again. So, just periodic little things that I have come to deal with just having a Jeep.
On my way to work two days ago, it started fine, and I drove 14 miles on the interstate to my exit where it died and would not restart. I had it towed to my mechanic who is now saying I need to have the engine rebuilt or put a new (rebuilt) engine in it.
I'm sorry I don't know how to describe everything he said on the phone but it was something about one of the pistons damaging something, and something being open instead of closed, having to do with the timing. And now things are bent, and probably running on 3 cylinders... and that I probably couldn't even drive it away from his shop.
So now in addition to the recent $8,000 I put into it, I need a new engine and electrical wiring harness which I am assuming will be approaching the $10,000 range. So getting close to $20,000 in maintenance/repairs for a vehicle that's not even worth that much. Obviously if I could see into the future I would not have put all the money into it that I just did knowing this was about to happen.
What would you do? Assuming a new engine and labor, along with a new wiring harness (to fix electrical issues) comes in less than $10,000... would you put that money into a Jeep this old? Or cut my losses and just buy another vehicle? Even if I get it fixed there's no guarantee that something else won't go wrong. I would rather spend $10,000 on a new engine (3 year/100,000 mile warranty) than have a $500 or $600 new car note for the next 5 years. Another downside to my Jeep is that I am currently only getting 11 mpg. I'd rather not spend $10,000 fixing a car with such poor mileage. Maybe a new engine will help that? I don't know. I feel putting the money into it to fix and sell would almost be a wash.
If I do decide to buy a new vehicle and get rid of the Jeep. What is the best option for selling the Jeep? Will a dealer even take a Jeep that isn't running? I know I will get robbed by the dealers when trading in, but I also feel they have the means to put it back in their shop, fix it quick and cheap and relist it.
Or would the best option be to list it and sell outright to a Jeep lover who wants to work on it himself/herself and fix it up? How much can I really expect to get from a Jeep that needs a new engine? Would you take all the pieces and parts (roof rack, new tires etc....) and sell separately before trying to get rid of it?
Sorry this is such a long post. I need input from Jeepers like you who have been here before. Who have put a new engine in etc... Thank you in advance for taking the time to comment and share your wisdom on this issue.
It cost me $9,000 to have a remanufactured engine put in and now it has more problems than it started with,And like you I now have to put money into the suspension like bushings control joints shit like that sooo I'm saying sell it now and don't look back!!
Last edited by Sterling 1; Jan 7, 2025 at 11:41 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 87
From: Arizona
I'm going through the same damn process with mine and I'm just about to light the damn thing on fire!! LoL
It cost me $9,000 to have a remanufactured engine put in and now it has more problems than it started with,And like you I now have to put money into the suspension like bushings control joints shit like that sooo I'm saying sell it now and don't look back!!
It cost me $9,000 to have a remanufactured engine put in and now it has more problems than it started with,And like you I now have to put money into the suspension like bushings control joints shit like that sooo I'm saying sell it now and don't look back!!
