Right now I have around 140k now and I want to see people with the highest millage around ! What to expect and how the old 3.8 holds up? I know I started a tread "post your miles" but was disappointed seeing people still in the safe zone (under 100k ) Let's see them guys!

 

Yeah that high of miles is rare for an original JK engine lol I'm sure there's a few around but I honestly don't expect the engines to last that long in these things.

 

The 3.8 has been around for a while in other Chrysler vehicles I think they do just fine

 

I think your the one we should be asking

Planning to get at least 200K on mine, but it will be a while... Your 2009 is running about 35K/year. So how's yours holding up? Any tips?

 

Comonnn guys...its a minivan motor. Think of all the soccer moms running there town and countrys into the grounds. 5000 miles late on oil changes blah, blah, blah and thry seem to get 200, 000 easy....I have confidence in the ol' 3.8

 

I,m up to 143,000 miles and going strong... The only engine work I've had done (warranty work) was the rear main and a few other gaskets around 6,000 ago.
My JK had 2 miles on it when I got her April 14, 2009...

 

Lol I should edit this in to my original post sorry guys! Everything has been great. need to get some replacement headers right now and oil pan is leaking but that's all. Stock trans no issues except downshifting. No water pump issues yet nothing major but my intake manifold gasket( quick cheap fix ). Still running like a champ.

I am hoping to see 250 out of it but I don't think my trans will hold up that long. When it goes its time for a 6speed!

 

As far as upkeep goes
*oil every 3500-4000
*lucis in the gas every oil change (sorry if I spelled it wrong)
*diff fluid every 5000( of betting on it a lot ) or 15000 for road driving
*trans fluid every 15000
* put a wrench on every bolt every month
* seafoam in vacuum line and oil every 10000
Clean throttle body every 10000
*sparkplugs and wires as needed
* clean my banks ram air every 6 months
* a impotent one every one forgets is look for updates for your super chip every month !
*after wheeling clean the motor , had a buddy blow his motor because of the mud caked on.
* last but not least mod it like crazy beat it up and have fun!

 

It aint Jap scrap.
For all the bitching you hear about the 3.8 remember that as with all things you only hear from the unsatisfied......Imagine the mountain of postings from those that ARE satisfied.
But to stay on topic I expect to drive this engine a good long time. Yah had to replace the intake mani gasket. 100,000 miles on original plugs and wires and change the original spec oil when time permits-often around 6000 miles.
Oh and this will kill some of you.......I wash the Jeep once every 2 years whether it needs it or not
And there's RUST on my muffler but having been driving trucks and Jeeps all my life it's not unexpected. THEY ALL RUST those who just moved up from cars didn't even know where their muffler was before. (see posts: what paint should I use on my muffler?)

 

Regarding the intake manifold gaskets that were replaced -- In what way was it leaking?