View Poll Results: What's your odometer reading? Problems??
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This is a poll for the JK 3.8L V6 and it's engine longevity. Engine problems so far?
03-07-2015, 05:13 PM
#321
JK Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Laurel Hill, Florida
Posts: 76
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177678 miles
08 2 door 177000+ miles 3 trips Florida to Alaska and Monday 3 miles from home on the way to work the oil pump failed motor locked up . towed to Lee Cry. Dog. jeep in Crestview Florida. Oil pan removed parts from oil pump were in the sump .two day later new motor on the way .I had to show service records and had done the 5th year check for the power train warranty. and most importantly the oil pan was clean no sludge I have nothing but good to say about this dealer so far. Will see how things work out.
03-07-2015, 06:32 PM
#322
JK Super Freak
08 2 door 177000+ miles 3 trips Florida to Alaska and Monday 3 miles from home on the way to work the oil pump failed motor locked up . towed to Lee Cry. Dog. jeep in Crestview Florida. Oil pan removed parts from oil pump were in the sump .two day later new motor on the way .I had to show service records and had done the 5th year check for the power train warranty. and most importantly the oil pan was clean no sludge I have nothing but good to say about this dealer so far. Will see how things work out.
03-08-2015, 05:27 AM
#325
Not high mileage but I'll toss in my experiences so far. Mines a July 2008-build 2009 JKUR. Just turned over 46,000 miles and has its first issue, cracked drivers exhaust manifold. Extremely common issue, Chrysler has 440+ of these on National backorder as of Friday 3/6/15. Patched the cracks with QuikSteel which seems to be holding. Covered under Lifetime warranty, but I can't wait 6 weeks for one. Will replace it with a Dorman.
Re: the commonly cited high oil consumption issues on these engines, this one has been merciful. It used to use 1/2 qt. per 3,000 miles. I swapped out the PCV at around 42,000 miles and in the process discovered the original one was loose at its stamped upper shell. The latest spec. factory replacement seems to have eliminated the small amount of consumption. As for oil, I started out using the factory recommended 5w-20, but with all the early engine failure and consumption complaints on the Forums, at 18,000 miles I switched it to 5w-30, which the manual calls "acceptable". I recently learned all the factory reman 3.8L long blocks call for 10w-30, which of course is what that engine was designed for 25 years ago. My local service manager opined that nothing was ever done to the 3.8L that would permit the use of as light an oil as 5w-20. SO, I switched to 10w-30 at the last oil change. It has always exhibited the annoying startup clatter, which is either chronic (every time) or intermittent (once in awhile). It seems to be related to the oil filters, which have always been Mopar. The anti-drainback feature of Mopar oil filters is apparently hit or miss. You can use the engine management system's "clear-out" feature to prime the filter. Hold the accelerator pedal to the floor, crank the engine until the oil pressure light goes out (about three seconds). Turn off the key until it stops cranking. Release the accelerator and start normally. Voila, no clatter.
I'm rather pleased with the overall performance of the 3.8L. Performance-wise it's no worse than the 4.0L that went before it, although I doubt we'll see them become legendary long-distance runners like that. It's asked to do a lot of work pushing a brick like the Unlimited around and so far mine's done extremely well considering.
Re: the commonly cited high oil consumption issues on these engines, this one has been merciful. It used to use 1/2 qt. per 3,000 miles. I swapped out the PCV at around 42,000 miles and in the process discovered the original one was loose at its stamped upper shell. The latest spec. factory replacement seems to have eliminated the small amount of consumption. As for oil, I started out using the factory recommended 5w-20, but with all the early engine failure and consumption complaints on the Forums, at 18,000 miles I switched it to 5w-30, which the manual calls "acceptable". I recently learned all the factory reman 3.8L long blocks call for 10w-30, which of course is what that engine was designed for 25 years ago. My local service manager opined that nothing was ever done to the 3.8L that would permit the use of as light an oil as 5w-20. SO, I switched to 10w-30 at the last oil change. It has always exhibited the annoying startup clatter, which is either chronic (every time) or intermittent (once in awhile). It seems to be related to the oil filters, which have always been Mopar. The anti-drainback feature of Mopar oil filters is apparently hit or miss. You can use the engine management system's "clear-out" feature to prime the filter. Hold the accelerator pedal to the floor, crank the engine until the oil pressure light goes out (about three seconds). Turn off the key until it stops cranking. Release the accelerator and start normally. Voila, no clatter.
I'm rather pleased with the overall performance of the 3.8L. Performance-wise it's no worse than the 4.0L that went before it, although I doubt we'll see them become legendary long-distance runners like that. It's asked to do a lot of work pushing a brick like the Unlimited around and so far mine's done extremely well considering.
04-06-2015, 02:59 PM
#326
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Munchkin Land
Posts: 292
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27000 miles on a 2009 2dr. There is some ticking noise all of a sudden and is definitely internal I'm hoping its not rod related. Taking it in tomorrow morning. Really worried. Doesn't sound good. Think I'm out of warranty.
04-06-2015, 03:15 PM
#327
JK Super Freak
Mine just turned over 93k miles after a 3500 mile Moab trip. It surprisingly only used about a quart and a half of oil in that time. It appears to consume much less at high rpm's than at low rpms, like in city driving. It continues to run beautifully.
04-07-2015, 04:31 AM
#328
JK Freak
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Harlingen Texas
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Mine has about 20k miles on it and has developed a top end noise that comes and goes. It's a reman motor from pep boys with 3yr unlimited mileage warranty so I'm not too worried about it
04-07-2015, 05:44 AM
#329
JK Enthusiast
44k miles I spun rod bearings. I'm buying a 505 stroker engine. I was burning about a quart every 800-1,000 miles. 2011 auto don't know if that makes any difference.
04-07-2015, 08:01 AM
#330
2008 jkur
I just hit 91,280 and I have not had any problems. I have done all the manufacturers recommended checks and inspections. I have the manual transmission and think I will need to change the clutch probably sooner then later. I am using Mobil one full synthetic. I did notice on my most recent drive from Fort Worth, TX to White Sands Missile Range, NM that I was burning through oil. I think this had a lot to do with going up through the mountain pass.