View Poll Results: Whats your odometer reading? Problems??
25,000
4
4.60%
50,000
8
9.20%
75,000
14
16.09%
100,000
22
25.29%
125,000
8
9.20%
150,000
20
22.99%
200,000
10
11.49%
250,000
1
1.15%
300,000
0
0%
350,000 + please list if plus
0
0%
Voters: 87. You may not vote on this poll
POLL UPDATE ON 3.8L Engine longevity poll taken back in 2011.
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
2007 Sahara cream puff here - only 53K original miles! Was guzzling Mobil 1 10W30 so I switched to dino oil. Now uses a quart every 2500-3000 miles. Intake manifold leak was stopped in December by 1/2 bottle of Bars Leaks Liquid Copper Block Seal. Rear brakes replaced a while back too. Does have a funky blend door on driver's side HVAC, but that's not drivetrain. No other problems to report.
JK Junkie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 1
From: - - Jeep-topia - -
Granted I had everything torn apart while doing the clutch. Was still very easy fix, gaskets take time but are very simple.
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Better off just replacing the gasket I think it took me just a couple hours to r&r. Drain the system, remove the intake manifold, cut off old gasket, clean surface, reassemble. Granted I had everything torn apart while doing the clutch. Was still very easy fix, gaskets take time but are very simple.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 218
From: Over the hill
2008 Rubi
Runs like new, actually better. 98K miles and no major problems. No leaks, and oil doesn't have to be added during the OCI (oil change interval). The OCI has almost always been stretched (up to 9K) with regular oil analysis and Xw-40 synthetic.
Minor problems, never stranded or towed:
Minor problems, never stranded or towed:
- Bad spark plug wire (replaced all with Mopar).
- EGR valve (replaced with Mopar), MAP sensor (replaced with NAPA), and spark plugs. An intermittent slight hesitation issue, plus I was eager to replace the EGR and plugs early to get anti-seize on the threads into the aluminum heads -- Long term overkill.
- Bad O2 sensor (replaced all with Mopar at ~96K). Early failure probably related to getting jarred while removing the cats during clutch replacement.
- The clutch isn't an engine problem, but it was a relatively big issue at ~96K. Details are here.
- The cooling system has stayed pristine clean with OEM coolant and distilled water flush on a five year interval -- Amazing when compared with older cars. Still on the original radiator, heater core, water pump, hoses, tensioner, etc. Replaced the serpentine belt at 97K but it showed no sign of actually needing it. No sign of overheating, even on long grades at full throttle at ~5K rpm on 100+ degree days.
- The lack of any oil leaks or even seepage is surprising at almost 100K. Haven't changed any gaskets or seals. The transmission, xfer case, and diffs are leak free as well.
- The engine is quiet, low vibration, and idles smoothly.
